The UK and Norway will lead a sea coalition to help Ukraine.

The new association of countries will supply ships and other means of transport to Ukrainian defenders for conducting combat operations at sea, the British Ministry of Defense reported. The maritime coalition will closely cooperate with the Ukrainian Navy and the Ministry of Defense for “rapid development of naval forces in the Black Sea, and continued development of Ukrainian marines and river patrol ships to protect coastal and inland waterways.”

As part of the coalition’s activities, Ukraine will receive two Sandown-class mine countermeasures ships, 20 Viking amphibious vehicles, and 23 raiding vessels.

“The minesweepers will help Ukraine to save lives at sea and open vital export routes that have been severely limited since the beginning of Putin’s illegal full-scale invasion“, said the British Defense Minister.

The initiative will be part of “a series of new coalitions” formed between NATO members to provide long-term military support to Ukraine.