Ukraine to launch over 10 joint weapons factories by year’s end

Ukrainian defense manufacturers hope that following the first successful experience with the launch of a joint venture in Germany, more than ten additional joint enterprises could be established by the end of the year.

This was stated in a comment to Ukrinform by Ihor Fedirko, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Arms Manufacturers Council.

“I very much hope that by the end of the year we will be able to launch more than 10 such joint ventures, where we essentially combine German and broader European manufacturing culture with our combat-proven experience. When we merge these two very important mechanisms, we will see something absolutely new being born – technological and European,” Fedirko said, adding that Ukraine wants to be part of the pan-European defense industry and doctrine.

He drew attention to three signed memorandums on the creation of joint ventures, under which contracts have already been signed and are backed by the German government.

“In this way, we reduce pressure on our budget and obtain Ukrainian-made weapons for the Ukrainian army,” the Executive Director of the Ukrainian Arms Manufacturers Council noted.

At the same time, Fedirko emphasized that the primary focus is on establishing joint ventures rather than selling weapons, as this approach provides far greater opportunities for cooperation and for supplying the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“First and foremost, supplying the army is what matters to us – contracts come second. But there is a unique element here: 10,000 drones that will be jointly produced in Germany will be transferred to the Ukrainian army as a donation, paid for by the German government,” Fedirko stressed, noting that Ukraine is seeking precisely this kind of cooperation.

Fedirko recalled that the Ukrainian-German company Quantum Frontline Industries GmbH, which on February 13 handed over its first drone to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, is the first such joint production venture. He expressed satisfaction that key processes had been unblocked and exports opened. Production at Quantum Frontline Industries GmbH began once the company received authorization to export intellectual property.

“We do not transfer intellectual property directly; we demonstrate how we assemble the systems. Finalization of these drones is carried out by a Ukrainian team on the Ukrainian side, meaning that critical components and critical intellectual property remain with Ukraine,” Fedirko explained.

Thus, the main components and core intellectual property remain in Ukraine, he assured.

As reported, on February 13 three memorandums on the establishment of joint ventures were signed between Airlogix and Auterion, Tencore and Fernride, as well as Tafindustries and Windcopter. The agreements were concluded in the presence of President Zelensky and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.