Ukraine Eyes Building National Defense Industrial Capability

Ukraine’s government has signed agreements with almost 40 defense companies from Europe, Australia and Canada as it seeks to expand the country’s national defense industrial capability.

Companies—including uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) manufacturers—agreed to joint production, technology exchange and component supply during Ukraine’s first Defense Industries Forum, held in Kyiv Sept. 30.

Details of the event have begun to emerge from speeches made by Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy and by governments representing their defense industries at the event.

“This [event] is a clear confirmation that the existing defense potential of both our country and all European countries can be significantly expanded,” Zelenskyy said following the event.  “This is just one of the multiple areas where Ukraine is already significantly enhancing the joint European potential.”

Among the agreements detailed are proposals for France’s Turgis & Gaillard to work with Ukraine’s Antonov that could lead to the co-development of the Aarok medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS, French officials revealed Oct. 2. The 5.5-metric-ton Aarok was first presented at the Paris Air Show in June 2023.

Several issues would need to be addressed, however, before development can occur in Ukraine, including the production site, the associated equipment (sensors, missiles, etc.) and the production schedule.

The arrangement between Turgis & Gaillard and Antonov was one of 16 signed between Ukraine and French industry. 

French equipment manufacturer Thales has signed a partnership agreement with Ukraine for the co-development of UAS and local production, as did French drone manufacturer Delair, which is already providing small UAS to Ukraine’s forces.

Turkey’s Baykar, which has had agreements to produce the company’s UAS platforms in Ukraine dating back prior to Russia’s invasion in February 2022, is investing $100 million in a new production facility, CEO Haluk Bayraktar told the forum.

Construction of the Baykar facility began on June 1, Bayraktar said, and efforts were moving at “full speed,” with the aim of completing the facility in 18 months.

“When this project is completed, Ukraine will have facilities that include research and development and production capabilities for the local production of Bayraktar series UAVs,” Bayraktar said.

Earlier this month, one of Europe’s largest defense companies, Germany’s Rheinmetall, was approved by Germany’s Federal Cartel Office to establish a joint venture in Ukraine that will service and maintain, assemble, produce and develop military vehicles.

Ukraine sees these initiatives as not only supporting its national defense needs as it fights off Russian aggression, but also helping it become a major defense manufacturer as it builds off its experience in the conflict with Moscow.

“Everything we have learned ourselves; we are ready to teach and share practices with our partners, everything that serves our defense can serve—and very successfully—the defense of our partners,” Zelenskyy said.

“This is how we are laying the foundation for the arsenal of the free world,” he continued. “Ukraine is a recipient of security assistance, but our country can and will become a donor of global security. Our country will become one of the world’s key producers of weapons and defense systems.”

More companies are set to join the initiative, Zelenskyy said.