Zelensky met with executives of U.S. defense companies

12 December, 2023 Zelensky met with executives of U.S. defense companies. The United States, December 2023. Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine

The Ukrainian delegation to the United States discussed areas of cooperation with executives of U.S. defense companies. The press service of the President of Ukraine reported on this. Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the idea of establishing a defense hub in Europe, which will be located in Ukraine.

BAE Systems President Tom Arseneault, Day & Zimmermann Chair and CEO Harold Yoh, Boeing President Theodore Colbert, and CEO of Sierra Nevada Corporation Fatih Ozmen attended the meeting held at Ukraine House in Washington, DC. Northrop Grumman Vice President Stephen O'Bryan, RTX Vice President Jeff Shockey, Lockheed Martin Vice President Raymond Piselli, General Dynamics Vice President Mark Roualet, D&M Holding CEO Daniel Powers, and AeroVironment Vice President Charles Dean also attended the meeting.

Zelensky met with executives of U.S. defense companies. The United States, December 2023.

Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is ready and will produce more ammunition and military equipment, but it needs support from powerful international companies. Specifically, this includes the joint production of artillery ammunition, air defense systems, and artillery and missile systems. In addition, Zelensky discussed the idea of establishing a defense hub in Europe, which would be located in Ukraine.

According to him, to implement this idea, Ukraine is ready to swiftly adopt all necessary decisions, cut red tape, and place orders. The President of Ukraine noted that Ukraine also intends to invite American partners to take a stake in Ukrainian defense companies, which would be in the interests of all parties involved.

2P25 launcher with installed RIM-7 Sea Sparrow. Photo from the open sources

Zelensky emphasized the importance of a creative and innovative approach in the defense industry, as exemplified by the FrankenSAM projects, which allowed the integration of modern Western and old Soviet technological solutions to "achieve quick results."

Production of 155mm shells in the USA.

Photo from the open sources

Previously, Ukraine has reached an agreement with two leading U.S. companies to jointly produce 155mm ammunition on Ukrainian territory.