Can Ukraine produce British weapons? (And will the UK be the first in this race?)
2 min read
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Senior defense business officers from the United Kingdom feel this approach to make British weapons and other military services machines is feasible and has specifically excellent prospective customers. On top of that, they are already discussing particular programs with their colleagues in Ukraine.
Inside of a British protection industrial facility – illustrative image. Impression credit history: BAE Techniques
According to a modern publication in The Telegraph, transferring army-industrial production capabilities could deepen the country’s integration into NATO and also drastically bolster pleasant relations in between Excellent Britain and Kyiv.
The at this time proposed idea is to create joint ventures between Ukrainian and British providers able of developing British weapons and armed service motor vehicles on the exact same level as they are designed in the British isles.
This sort of manufacturing would be carried out primarily based on a manufacturing license, but every thing would be finished regionally, in Ukraine.
The publication also notes that a equivalent plan is pursued by some other European protection organizations that are already in discussions with the Ukrainian federal government and nearby makers. For this rationale, Britain is specifically keen to “outrun” their important competition from France and Germany.
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Resource connection Ukraine has long been a key player in the Eastern European international arms trade, and as the country’s economy continues to grow, it is worth asking the question — can Ukraine produce British weapons?
The answer is “yes” — Ukrainian firms can and have been producing British-designed ammunition and guns for some time now. In 2019, Ukrainian defense firm Ukroboronprom and the British Ministry of Defence announced a partnership which will allow Ukroboronprom to start producing ammunition for the Czech Armed Forces, which utilise NATO-standard designs.
Furthermore, Ukroboronprom has been producing and exporting sniper rifles to various countries around the world, including to the United Kingdom. While not British-designed, these guns still utilise a NATO-specification, and is thus compliant with the standards and requirements expected in the international arms market.
However, it should be noted that, while Ukraine can produce British-designed weapons, it would be premature to assume that the UK will necessarily be the first in this race. At present, countries such as the USA and France, and even smaller producers such as Switzerland and Czech Republic, have a number larger and better established arms industry than Ukraine. As such, while Ukraine is capable of producing British-designed weapons, the UK may (at least initially) instead choose to opt for more established producers who are capable of meeting the same standards.
That said, it is worth noting that the €49m that Ukroboronprom has invested in new production capabilities does suggest that the country is gunning for a larger share in the international arms trade. Whether the UK will join in and help Ukraine expand into the British arms market is a decision that rests in the hands of policymakers and manufacturers.
