Zelensky wants to make Ukraine one of the largest arms producers in the world. 13 weapons manufacturers are currently part of the alliance. The plan is to produce rockets, drones and artillery shells.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj announced the establishment of a defense industry alliance at a forum with representatives of international defense companies in Kiev.
The basis of the association is a declaration that has so far been signed by 13 outstanding weapons manufacturers, Zelensky initially announced on social networks. Other defense companies could join. According to the Foreign Ministry in Kiev, 38 companies from 19 countries had joined by the end of the forum. Zelensky wants to make Ukraine one of the largest arms producers in the world.
It is an alliance committed to international law and the defense of the free world, said the President. “I’m not just talking about Ukraine, but about the security from aggression of every nation in the world,” he emphasized in a speech to weapons manufacturers. Accordingly, 252 companies from more than 30 countries took part in the defense industry forum.
Missiles, drones and artillery shells
The priority is the development of a modern defense industry in Ukraine, said Zelensky. Rockets, drones and artillery shells will be produced in collaboration with leading companies. “Ukraine is ready to offer special conditions to companies that want to develop the defense industry together with our country,” Zelensky said in his Telegram channel. The members of the alliance should build an arsenal together with Ukraine.
The country, which has so far been supplied with weapons mainly by the West in its defense against the Russian war of aggression, wants to produce the majority of armaments itself in the future. For this purpose, Ukraine will set up a special defense fund to create additional economic resources in addition to state defense spending, Zelensky said.
“The fund will be replenished with dividends from state defense assets and profits from the sale of confiscated Russian assets,” Zelensky said. Arms companies from Germany, the USA, Great Britain, France, Turkey, Sweden, the Czech Republic and from Asian countries as well as Australia were also represented at the forum in Kiev. The arms alliance is also seen as Ukraine’s response to Russia’s stated war goal of wanting to demilitarize the country.
Source: Stern
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