Ukroboronprom signs 33 intl agreements with companies from 14 countries during war – head

KYIV. April 5 (Interfax-Ukraine) – During the war, Ukroboronprom stepped up work to integrate the Ukrainian defense industry into the global chain of production of weapons and military equipment of NATO member countries and is already implementing a number of projects together with companies of NATO member states, General Director of Ukroboronprom Yuriy Husev has said.

“During the war, we signed 33 international agreements with companies from 14 countries supporting us,” he said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

The concern’s head said that for the Ukrainian defense industry to produce more high-quality, high-tech equipment and weapons, technology transfer is necessary, and for meeting the expectations of partners, the state concern is currently undergoing a transformation into JSC Ukrainian Defense Industry.

Giving as an example the U.S. companies’ requirements for creating joint ventures, Husev explained that, unlike the concern, a joint-stock company “with appropriate corporate governance, compliance, anti-corruption policy” can be such a partner.

“Our goal is to attract investments and technologies and integrate the Ukrainian defense industry into the global production chain of weapons and military equipment of NATO member countries – primarily, of course, the United States, the UK, France, and Germany. We have signed agreements and cooperation deals with a number of countries. We are implementing several projects jointly with companies from NATO member states,” the director general of Ukroboronprom said.

According to him, joint production projects are outside Ukraine because of the fact that it is safe to produce weapons on NATO territory, and plants in Ukraine are under constant fire.

“We are working to ensure that the plants are located in safe places and, accordingly, deepen cooperation with international companies,” Husev said.

He said that a number of partnership projects for joint production, including ammunition, are currently being implemented. It concerns NATO member countries. In particular, Ukroboronprom signed an agreement on a cluster with the relevant agency of the Czech Ministry of Defense.

“At the highest level, our president and the prime minister of the Czech Republic discussed the issue of consolidating efforts to increase the production of weapons, ammunition, and repair equipment,” Husev said.

“But we also welcome the readiness of certain well-known European companies to say that in the future plants will be built in Ukraine, taking into account all security measures,” the head of Ukroboronprom added.