Ukraine plans joint arms production with countries in the Ramstein format

Kyiv.- Ukraine plans to begin joint production of weaponry with several countries participating in the Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine, better known as the Ramstein format, after signing an agreement this week with Denmark, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on Thursday. "Ukraine is going to launch a joint arms production program with international partners: in Ukraine and in the countries participating in (the) Ramstein format. We have already registered the corresponding law in Parliament and expect it to be in force in September," Umérov said at a press conference according to the 'Ukrinform' agency.

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The minister pointed out that at the moment there are 21 initiatives to jointly produce weaponry on Ukrainian territory with some of the largest global manufacturers and up to ten projects abroad. "Everyone is at a different stage: for some, specific agreements already exist, others are still in negotiation. We are talking about Denmark, the United Kingdom, Norway, etc. For example, we plan to open a Ukrainian factory in Denmark in the coming months," Umerov explained. Regarding production in Ukraine, the minister assured that the authorities are working on a plan to concentrate it in certain regions where its physical safety can be guaranteed.