Igor Kossov
Sat, September 30, 2023
African countries are interested in buying Ukrainian weapons and creating Ukrainian defense manufacturing plants on their soil, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Sept. 30 at Ukraine's first international defense industry forum.
Kuleba said that as a geographic region, Africa was one of the top customers of Ukraine's defense contractors and its countries would like Ukrainian products to return to their markets.
Plagued by weapon and ammo shortages, Ukraine is not able to export anything defense-related at this time but is looking to return to being one of the world's leading armorers.
The production of Ukrainian weapons on African soil is seen as an alternative to currently-impossible exports, Kuleba said, calling it a "new trend."
Ukraine has stayed within the top 20 defense exporting countries for the majority of its independence, occasionally climbing to 11th place. The country is especially renowned for its advanced aircraft engines.
The forum united 252 defense contractors from over 30 countries, as the Ukrainian government tries to build closer relationships and joint production capacities with the world's leading arms manufacturers, to include localized production of foreign arms inside Ukraine.
Africa wants to place production of Ukrainian weapons on its territory – Foreign Minister
Ukrainska Pravda
Sat, September 30, 2023
Africa is interested not only in buying Ukrainian weapons but also in placing their production on its territory.
Source: Interfax Ukraine, citing Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba at a panel discussion within the framework of the Defence Industries Forum
Quote: "Africa was one of the largest markets for selling Ukrainian military products before the start of a full-scale war. Today, Africa is waiting for the Ukrainian companies to come back to this market for the sale of weapons. For now, of course, this option is closed.
Once I was talking with the leader of an African country, and he looked me in the eyes so trustingly and said: ‘You have already been sent so many weapons; you definitely do not need so much. Maybe you could share some with us?’ That is, there is a different perception of our needs."
Details: Kuleba says that the second interest that Africa has shown is, in fact, placing the production of Ukrainian weapons and ammunition on the territory of Africa.
"This is a new trend," Kuleba said. The foreign minister believes that "the demand for the sale and production of weapons produced in Ukraine will be very high".
Ukraine hosts a defense industry forum seeking to ramp up weapons production for the war
HANNA ARHIROVA
Sat, September 30, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 21, 2022. Ukraine hosted an international defense industry conference as part of a government effort to ramp up weapons production within the country to repel Russia's full-scale invasion and reduce foreign dependence on arms deliveries.
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine hosted an international defense industry conference as part of a government effort to ramp up weapons production within the country to repel Russia's full-scale invasion and reduce foreign dependence on arms deliveries.
The event marked a new development in support of Ukraine, with the previous focus being on the delivery of weapons, repair of damaged equipment and military training of Ukrainian soldiers.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the opening of the International Defense Industries Forum, said that around 250 defense companies from more than 30 countries had gathered Friday in Kyiv. Defense ministers and representatives of several countries also attended the event.
“Heroism alone cannot intercept missiles. Ukraine needs capabilities, high quality, high quantity, and quickly. There is no defense without industry,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who spoke by video link during the forum on the day after his visit to Kyiv.
Stoltenberg said that Wendy Gilmour, who is NATO's assistant secretary general for defense investments, was representing the trans-Atlantic alliance at the event.
Stoltenberg acknowledged that many allies have significantly depleted their stocks in order to support Ukraine. “This was the right thing to do, but now we need to ramp up production, both to meet Ukraine’s needs and to ensure our own deterrence in events,” he said.
Zelenskyy disclosed the details of his recent trip to Washington, where he agreed with U.S. President Joe Biden on “the establishment of a new industrial ecosystem that will strengthen both Ukraine and all the partners.” Zelenskyy described it as “one of the key outcomes” of his negotiations with Biden in Washington.
Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said that there will be meetings soon with representatives from the U.S. “to determine the road map of cooperation with the partners about localization of production, specifically in Ukraine."
During the forum, Zelenskyy announced the creation of the Defense Industries Alliance and added that 13 defense companies have already signed the corresponding declaration.
To support the cooperation and develop an industry complex, Ukraine plans to establish a special fund, which will be paid into through dividends from state defense resources and profits from the sale of confiscated Russian assets, Zelenskyy said.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the first talks about joint production with allies began last fall. “At first, we were talking about repairs within Ukraine, and then about joint production. And now, this topic is prevalent everywhere,” said Kuleba.
According to Kuleba, in discussions with the partners, there is also a tremendous interest in the experience and production capabilities of Ukrainian businesses.
“Just as we have benefited from Western weapons, Western arms manufacturers also gain unique advantages in the market to improve their models and create even more powerful weapons,” Kuleba said.
Ukraine's recently appointed Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, said the country must do everything possible to produce all the necessary military services and products in Ukraine for the needs of its army. The other priority is the development of defense technologies that now play an important role on the battlefield.
“Our vision is to develop world-class military products,” Umerov said.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Dozens of international firms join Kyiv's new defense industry alliance
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine hosted an international defense industry conference as part of a government effort to ramp up weapons production within the country to repel Russia's full-scale invasion and reduce foreign dependence on arms deliveries.
The event marked a new development in support of Ukraine, with the previous focus being on the delivery of weapons, repair of damaged equipment and military training of Ukrainian soldiers.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the opening of the International Defense Industries Forum, said that around 250 defense companies from more than 30 countries had gathered Friday in Kyiv. Defense ministers and representatives of several countries also attended the event.
“Heroism alone cannot intercept missiles. Ukraine needs capabilities, high quality, high quantity, and quickly. There is no defense without industry,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who spoke by video link during the forum on the day after his visit to Kyiv.
Stoltenberg said that Wendy Gilmour, who is NATO's assistant secretary general for defense investments, was representing the trans-Atlantic alliance at the event.
Stoltenberg acknowledged that many allies have significantly depleted their stocks in order to support Ukraine. “This was the right thing to do, but now we need to ramp up production, both to meet Ukraine’s needs and to ensure our own deterrence in events,” he said.
Zelenskyy disclosed the details of his recent trip to Washington, where he agreed with U.S. President Joe Biden on “the establishment of a new industrial ecosystem that will strengthen both Ukraine and all the partners.” Zelenskyy described it as “one of the key outcomes” of his negotiations with Biden in Washington.
Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said that there will be meetings soon with representatives from the U.S. “to determine the road map of cooperation with the partners about localization of production, specifically in Ukraine."
During the forum, Zelenskyy announced the creation of the Defense Industries Alliance and added that 13 defense companies have already signed the corresponding declaration.
To support the cooperation and develop an industry complex, Ukraine plans to establish a special fund, which will be paid into through dividends from state defense resources and profits from the sale of confiscated Russian assets, Zelenskyy said.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the first talks about joint production with allies began last fall. “At first, we were talking about repairs within Ukraine, and then about joint production. And now, this topic is prevalent everywhere,” said Kuleba.
According to Kuleba, in discussions with the partners, there is also a tremendous interest in the experience and production capabilities of Ukrainian businesses.
“Just as we have benefited from Western weapons, Western arms manufacturers also gain unique advantages in the market to improve their models and create even more powerful weapons,” Kuleba said.
Ukraine's recently appointed Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, said the country must do everything possible to produce all the necessary military services and products in Ukraine for the needs of its army. The other priority is the development of defense technologies that now play an important role on the battlefield.
“Our vision is to develop world-class military products,” Umerov said.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Dozens of international firms join Kyiv's new defense industry alliance
Igor Kossov
Sat, September 30, 2023
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sept. 30 announced the creation of an international alliance between defense industries. They will work together to build capacities to defend against outside aggression.
Any defense contractors are welcome to join, as long as they share Ukraine's values of resisting hostile encroachment and upholding international law, the Ukrainian leader said.
Zelensky made his speech at Ukraine's first ever international forum for defense industries, which was attended by 252 companies from over 30 countries spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia.
"We have developed a basic declaration as the foundation of this alliance. It can be joined by weapons and military equipment manufacturers from all around the world, who share our intent to provide real protection against aggression," Zelensky said.
"Today, this declaration already includes 13 prominent companies that, together with Ukraine, are ready to build the new arsenal of the free world."
The Foreign Ministry soon came out with a statement that 38 companies from 19 countries already joined up.
Among other capabilities, the alliance will eventually pave the way for Ukraine to localize production of licensed foreign weapons on Ukrainian soil, said Andriy Yermak, head of the president's office. During his recent visit to Washington, Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to have their teams hammer out a roadmap for this kind of localization.
Yermak pointed out that before independence, Ukraine was the scientific and manufacturing center of the Soviet Union.
Zelensky also announced the creation of a special defense fund that will support the development of new weapons and existing military assets and programs. It will be financed with dividends from state defense companies and the sale of seized Russian assets.
Several major defense contractors such as Rheinmetall have previously expressed interest in opening factories on Ukrainian soil, in spite of the threat posed by Russian attacks.
38 companies from 19 countries join Defence Industries Alliance
Ukrainska Pravda
Sat, September 30, 2023
Ukrainian companies have signed 20 documents with foreign partners as part of the International Defence Industries Forum, and 38 companies from 19 countries had joined the Defence Industries Alliance by the time the forum closed.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
Quote: "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."
Details: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reported that 38 companies from 19 countries had joined the Defence Industries Alliance by the time the forum closed.
Every weapon and military equipment manufacturer from different countries in the world can join the Alliance.
The First International Defence Industries Forum (DFNC1) in Kyiv brought together 252 companies from over 30 countries that produce a full range of weapons, military equipment and defence systems. Three Ukrainian ministries, including the Ministry of Strategic Industries, the Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, jointly organised the forum.
Tanks, artillery, drones, ammunition manufacturers, innovative software developers and unique complex technology owners from partner countries took part in the event. In addition, the Ukrainian state and private businesses of the defence-industrial complex, both extensive groups of companies and defence-tech startups, also joined.
The forum was opened by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Defence Minister Rustem Umierov, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin and President's Office Head Andrii Yermak delivered their speeches to guests. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and representatives of the partner countries made special video messages. Eric Schmidt, founder of Schmidt Futures, delivered his speech too. Honorary speakers of the forum were Slovak Defence Minister Martin Sklenár and Wendy Gilmore, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence.
Background: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the creation of a Defence Industries Alliance and the establishment of a special Defence Fund.
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