Ukraine to open weapon export offices in Berlin and Copenhagen
Kyiv is looking to export naval drones and artillery systems in order to finance the production of “items for which we don't have the money,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
In order to facilitate defence industry cooperation and future arms exports, Ukraine is planning to open offices in Berlin and Copenhagen by the end of the year, said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ukraine has been looking to open its defence industry for export for a while now. At the end of October, Zelenskyy stated that a controlled export programme should start in November.
Kyiv is looking to export naval drones and artillery systems in order to finance the production of “items for which we don’t have the money,” Zelenskyy told media on Monday.
Around 94.4% of Ukrainian manufacturers are in favour of opening exports, the Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry explained in October.
The envisioned offices are supposed to help scale up Kyiv’s national production by encouraging joint manufacturing with the European defence industry.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the country established a competitive drone production, with hundreds of companies supplying the front-lines. However, Ukraine still relies heavily on Western weapon deliveries, especially for air defence systems, such as the US-made Patriots.
Denmark’s defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen welcomed the closer cooperation, calling it a good opportunity for the Danish industry.
Denmark has already established closer industry relations with the Ukrainian defence sector, enabling the missile manufacturer Fire Point to produce the fuel needed for Ukraine’s new long-range missile Flamingo in Denmark.
Germany recently signed a memorandum of understanding to expand the cooperation with Ukraine in military research and development.
The German defence ministry did not confirm the planned establishment of contact points for the Ukrainian defence industry in Germany, but when asked by Euractiv, stated that “strengthening defence cooperation between Germany and Ukraine is in the interests of both countries.”
(cp)
