BAE Systems expands weapons production in Ukraine — Zelensky
30 May, 2023 President Zelensky negotiations with representatives of the defense company BAE Systems. Photo: press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine The British defense company BAE Systems will open an office in Ukraine and deploy weapons production and repair facilities.
The news was published on the official page of President Volodymyr Zelensky in his social media accounts. This agreement was reached during a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and representatives of the British defense company BAE Systems: CEO Dr. Charles Woodburn, Managing Director Gabby Costigan and Senior Director in Central & Eastern Europe Christian Seear.
"We discussed the localization of production in Ukraine. We agreed to start work on opening a BAE Systems office in Ukraine, and subsequently repair and production facilities for the company's products. We are ready to become a major regional hub for the repair and production of various types of products of BAE Systems and are interested in making our relations more global," Zelensky said in his post.
President Zelensky's talks with representatives of the defense company BAE Systems.
Photo credits: press service of the President's office
BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a British industrial giant and a multinational enterprise specializing in the production of products for the defense industry. The company and its foreign divisions are involved in the production of Typhoon fighter jets, Challenger 2 tanks, M113 armored personnel carriers, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, CV90 armored combat vehicles, Archer, M109 and M777 howitzers. The company is also a powerful manufacturer of ammunition.
Gunners of the 406th Artillery Brigade fire with an M777 howitzer.
Photo credits: 406th Artillery Brigade
Most of the weapons developed and manufactured by this company are currently in service with the Ukrainian army. The potential deployment of service centers on the territory of Ukraine should significantly shorten the cycle of activities for the repair and restoration of artillery and armored vehicles. BAE Systems might also help Ukraine with the transfer of technology and the production of artillery ammunition and missile weapons.
Western defense giants and the Ukrainian market
Militarnyi reported on May 13 that the Ukrainian Ukroboronprom and the German Rheinmetall have created a joint venture for tank repair in Ukraine.
According to the agreement, Rheinmetall and Ukroboronprom are establishing a joint venture in which Rheinmetall will hold a majority stake of 51% and will provide the management. The plant will be located on the territory of Ukraine. In addition, the German company expects to sign contracts for two more joint ventures in the coming days, for ammunition and air defense.
According to Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, initially the cooperation would cover the maintenance and repair of armored vehicles in Ukraine, while the production of tanks would be prepared in parallel.
Fuchs armored personnel carrier of the German military.
2020. Photo credits: Combat-Camera-Europe
As it became known later, the first sample of armored vehicles planned for production will be the Fuchs wheeled armored personnel carrier.
According to the CEO of the company, Ukraine is also interested in the modern Panther tank and Lynx armoured fighting vehicle.