Kyiv: Officials from Ukraine and Britain have inked a framework agreement aimed at bolstering cooperation in the defense and arms production sector.
The agreement was formalized during a military industry conference in Kyiv, where approximately 30 British defense companies convened to explore potential joint ventures with Ukrainian counterparts.
Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukraine's Minister for Strategic Industries, hailed the agreement as the first of its kind in terms of intergovernmental cooperation. He underscored the active engagement of British companies with Ukrainian counterparts, highlighting their mutual interest in expanding collaborative efforts in weapons production, reported Reuters.
Greg Hands, UK Minister for Trade Policy, expressed optimism regarding the agreement's potential to enhance Ukraine's military capabilities and contribute to its economic recovery in the long run.
In the wake of Russia's invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian forces have faced significant challenges due to the superior firepower and resources of the adversary. Faced with this reality, Ukrainian authorities are intensifying efforts to bolster domestic weapons production and attract Western partners to establish production facilities within the country.
BAE Systems, a prominent British defense company, has already established a local presence in Ukraine and signed an agreement with the UK's Defense Ministry to undertake maintenance and repair operations for light guns within Ukraine.
Officials also highlighted prospects for collaboration in the drone production sector, with several companies specializing in drone technology participating in the conference. Ukraine aims to significantly ramp up its drone production capacity, including the production of first-person view (FPV) drones and longer-range attack drones capable of striking targets deep within Russia.
Andy Start, Chief Executive of the UK's Defence Equipment and Support, emphasized the need for closer collaboration with Ukraine's defense industry to bolster its capabilities and support economic growth. He expressed a strong desire to sustain the momentum of collaboration between the two nations, underscoring the shared objective of strengthening their partnership in defense production.