Ukraine launches Defense City international weapons program - Defense Minister reveals details
Photo: Ukraine launches international weapons production program Defense City (Getty Images)
Ukraine is launching a program for joint weapons production with international partners called Defense City - in Ukraine and in the countries participating in the Ramstein coalition. The relevant draft law has already been registered, and it should be operational by September, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
"There are currently 21 initiatives to localize production in Ukraine with the world's largest arms manufacturers, and up to ten projects abroad. All are at different stages - some already have concrete agreements, others are still at the negotiation stage. We are talking about Denmark, Britain, Norway, and so on," Umerov noted.
According to Ukraine's Defense Minister, in Denmark, a Ukrainian plant is planned to open within the next few months.
"As for production in Ukraine, we are also working on the possibility of concentrating it in specific regions where we will be able to ensure the physical security of these plants. Because if we are talking about long-term investments and contracts, our strategic interest is that these enterprises are protected by air defense," Umerov added.
In addition, joint production with German companies (APCs, artillery, ammunition) is already underway. With American partners, projects are being implemented in the fields of drones, artillery, and ammunition.
"Ukrainians' participation in production abroad is one of the vectors of support. The governments of partner countries, such as the United Kingdom, are considering initiatives that could help employ Ukrainians in new defense manufacturing," the Ukrainian Minister stated.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian defense production potential exceeds 35 billion dollars, but about 40% of all this potential lacks the necessary funding.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Ministry of Finance is preparing a comprehensive draft amendment to the state budget law, which provides for increased defense spending, including weapons production.
Earlier, reports indicated that a package of draft laws on a special legal regime for arms manufacturers has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada. The bills were developed jointly with the Ministry of Defense.
