Ukraine's MoD reveals details of new Ramstein weapons production initiative

"Some of our closest partners — those providing billion-dollar military aid — constantly approach us with proposals to build factories for the production of modern Ukrainian weapons in their countries. The partners are ready to manufacture Ukrainian weapons and Ukrainian designs in their countries under official licenses," Umerov said.

According to him, Ukraine’s position remains unchanged — the primary priority is the needs of the Defense Forces.

"And the partners have confirmed: everything produced at such facilities will go to the needs of the Ukrainian military, for as long as the war continues. They are ready to fully finance these productions and even allocate additional funding. This initiative is a strategic breakthrough. Together, we will produce drones, missiles, ammunition, electronic warfare systems, and other types of weapons," the minister noted.

Umerov expressed hope that the initiative will be supported within the framework of the European SAFE program, which foresees €150 billion for the development of the defense industry.

At the same time, some steps have already been taken by partners, including:

• A Western European company today announced the production of modern missiles against Shahed drones in Ukraine.

• The United Kingdom will jointly produce LMM missiles and launchers with Ukraine.

• Rheinmetall is building the latest Lynx combat vehicles in Ukraine (Germany).

• Our enterprises already manufacture ammunition under a Nammo license (Norway-Finland).

• SAAB (Sweden), Kongsberg (Norway), KNDS (France-Germany), FFG (Germany), and Raytheon (USA) are already expanding their presence in Ukraine.

Umerov emphasized that the time has come for Ukrainian companies to expand their presence in global markets, but with production for Ukraine.

"This is a mutually beneficial initiative. The Ukrainian defense-industrial complex will gain access to foreign financing, advanced technologies, new production sites, and strategic partnerships with leading global players. And our partners will strengthen their own industrial potential while transferring weapons to Ukraine," the Minister of Defense said.

New Ramstein initiative

Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov said that during today’s meeting in the Ramstein format, Ukraine discussed with its partners the joint construction of facilities for weapon production.

Umerov explained that Ukraine’s partners asked him whether Ukraine could build enterprises in their countries to supply them with certain weapons.

"I have always spoken about this, and we agreed with partners that weapons produced by Ukrainian companies abroad will be provided back to Ukraine for as long as the war continues. We don’t yet have the names of these joint companies. But this will be called the Ramstein investment in industry," he explained.

According to the minister, member countries may build facilities in Ukraine, and Ukraine will build facilities in other countries.

At the same time, Umerov recalled that drones produced in Ukraine have already changed the nature of the war.