The first Leopard 2A4 which was damaged at the front was completely repaired in Poland and sent back to Ukraine https://t.co/1KfSeJcKHQ
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) October 2, 2023
The Czech Republic will give Ukraine a license for the production of CZ BREN 2 assault rifles. The Czechs will also help the Ukrainians to establish the production of ammunition. This project will be implemented by Sellier & Bellot. pic.twitter.com/bsjmvD1NwL
— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) September 30, 2023
Chairwoman of the German Defence and Security Committee Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann once again stated that Taurus cruise missiles should be delivered to Ukraine immediately to disrupt Russian supplies. Shel also said that International law allows Ukraine to attack military… pic.twitter.com/OzJ8BR5gxI
— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) September 30, 2023
Ukraine has long been an industrial giant, producing heavy machinery and engines for Russian navy ships and military helicopters, along with armored vehicles, aircraft, and small arms. Many of those production facilities have been damaged in the war. Still, Ukrainian officials are looking to Western defense firms for commitments that they're willing to invest and build in Ukraine even before the fighting stops.
Two European defense contractors have already said they're in. Rheinmetall, a German arms giant, has said it would work with Ukraine's state arms company, Ukroboronprom, to build tanks and armored vehicles. British-based BAE has also announced it is opening an office in Kyiv and is looking into making 105mm guns in Ukraine.
France is one of the countries leaning forward on the co-production idea. Around 20 French business leaders accompanied the minister of the armed forces, Sébastien Lecornu, to Kyiv, joining representatives from over 250 companies spread across the U.S., Europe and Asia.
Czechia also flooded the event with a large delegation, reflecting the country's all-in approach to helping Kyiv beat back the Russian invasion. The largest defense firms in the country, also known as the Czech Republic, have for months employed Ukrainian workers in their factories, which are churning out night vision devices, ammunition, and other weapons in co-production deals with Ukrainian companies. One Czech official who attended the event said the goal is to move that production to Ukraine as soon as possible.
The attitude in Kyiv is that there is no choice but to find companies to help them do it themselves.
"Priority number one is that Ukraine will be self-reliant because even if the war finishes today, Ukraine will be a shield for Europe against future attempts by Russia," to grab territory or destabilize Europe, said Verkhniatskyi from COSA Intelligence Solutions. "It's just going to happen. The Russians are just simply going to be Russians forever."
‘It’s a Survival Issue’: Ukraine Looks to Arm Itself as Western Support Slips - POLITICO
"As part of the forum, Ukrainian companies signed 20 documents with foreign partners. These are agreements and memoranda on the drone manufacturing, repair and production of armoured vehicles and ammunition. Joint production, technology exchange, and component supply are among the cooperation formats."
38 Companies From 19 Countries Join Defence Industries Alliance | Ukrainska Pravda
