London and Kyiv are discussing with might and main the possibility of creating joint ventures that will produce British weapons on Ukrainian territory.
According to The Daily Telegraph newspaper , representatives of the British defense industry have already visited the Ukrainian capital to discuss the specific details of the grandiose project, in particular, the production of weapons and vehicles under license.
It turned out that the British military-industrial complex was not the first to decide to organize military enterprises in Ukraine. Among the competitors, defense companies from France and Germany are visible. In addition, Ukraine has already produced some Israeli and American small arms and electronics. According to Western manufacturers, a serious struggle for the Ukrainian arms market is flaring up.
However, in London they believe that the creation of any joint venture with Ukraine will require the approval of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak . Moreover, recalls The Daily Telegraph , Russia has repeatedly threatened to retaliate against the West for sending weapons to Ukraine, and any production support is likely to further increase tensions between Europe and the Kremlin.
Meanwhile, on Saturday evening, Downing Street and the UK Department of Defense declined to comment, saying “this is a matter of private business, not the state.”
Ed Arnold , a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, said: “Sector cooperation with Ukraine stimulates closeness in international relations. This may initially be billed as a commercial project, but at least in the future it will require tacit political approval.”
Arnold added that such deals would “bring Ukraine closer to NATO and European security structures.”
Meanwhile, British journalists found out that Kyiv would like to produce under license artillery or vehicles of the latest modifications. Representatives of Ukroboronprom publicly confirmed last week that they intend to conclude agreements with Western companies for the production of NATO-standard weapons within the country.
By the way, Ukraine itself is an experienced weapons manufacturer. During the Soviet era, it was a center of high-tech military production, and Dnepropetrovsk is known as the “Rocket City” due to its advances in space technology and the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
source: newizv
