BAE Systems to produce L119 howitzers in Ukraine.

The U.K.'s largest arms company, BAE Systems, has opened an office in Ukraine to launch weapons production in partnership with domestic manufacturers, the Ministry of Strategic Industries reported[1] on Aug.

31. Among the weapons to be made in Ukraine are L119 light field guns, which use NATO-standard 155 mm ammunition. Ukrainian forces are already using dozens of L119 howitzers sent by London last year.

On Aug.

30, President Volodymyr Zelensky met with the head of BAE Systems, Charles Woodburn, and the company's management, thanking them for opening the Ukrainian office ahead of Independence Day. "The best weapons that currently help our soldiers defend Ukraine should be produced in Ukraine. The development of own weapons production is a top priority," Zelensky said[2] on Telegram.

Zelensky: Ukrainian-made weapon has proven 700 km range

A new Ukrainian-made long-range weapon successfully reached a target 700 kilometers away, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug.

31.

At the meeting, the Ministry of Strategic Industries, the Ministry of Defense, and BAE Systems signed documents confirming the company's decision to develop arms production in Ukraine. "BAE Systems wants to be a reliable partner of Ukraine in the war for freedom and independence, as well as in building a strong and sustainable technological defense-industrial complex to effectively prevent future aggression attempts," said Woodburn. BAE Systems is the largest defense contractor in Europe, with its main operations based in the U.K. and the U.S.

The company produces a wide variety of weapons, including M2/M3 Bradley fighting vehicles, Typhoon fighter jets, Archer artillery systems, Challenger 2 tanks, M777 howitzers, and others.

As counteroffensive presses forward in southeast, 'every meter costs a life' Editor's note: The Kyiv Independent is not disclosing the soldiers interviewed in the story by their full names due to security concerns amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The article also contains photos that some readers may find disturbing.

DONETSK OBLAST - Twenty-nine-year-old assault company com...

News Editor

Dinara Khalilova is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She has previously worked as a fixer and local producer for Sky News. Dinara holds a BA in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Master's degree in media and communication from Bournemouth University in the UK.

References

1. ^ reported (mspu.gov.ua)
2. ^ said (t.me)
3. ^ Zelensky: Ukrainian-made weapon has proven 700 km rangeA new Ukrainian-made long-range weapon successfully reached a target 700 kilometers away, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug.

   31. (kyivindependent.com)

4. ^ As counteroffensive presses forward in southeast, 'every meter costs a life'Editor's note: The Kyiv Independent is not disclosing the soldiers interviewed in the story by their full names due to security concerns amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

   The article also contains photos that some readers may find disturbing.

   DONETSK OBLAST - Twenty-nine-year-old assault company com... (kyivindependent.com)