Starting on Friday, February 14, Germany has hosted the 61st Munich Security Conference, now reaching its completion. After three days of intense negotiations, meetings, and signings Ukraine emerges with a number of agreements and memorandums signed under the auspices of this event.
Among them, particularly notable is the announcement of plans to create a joint venture between JSC Ukrainian Defense Industry (UDI) and defense giant Thales International SAS, released by UDI's press service on Friday, February 15th. The parties pledged to deepen their cooperation in the fields of air defense, radars, electronic warfare systems, electro-optical systems, and tactical communications.
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It is worth noting that the Ukrainian Defense Forces use a range of products from Thales. The agreement builds upon the memorandum signed last fall with branch company THALES Belgium that arranged the production of counter-UAS missiles.
While the specifications of the prospective weapon were not disclosed, it was likely referring to the existing FZ275 LGR — a 70mm guided rocket with semi-active laser homing. The rocket from Thales should be compatible with L3 Harris Vampire systems, which Ukrainian air defense units already use in combination with the closely similar American Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) to counter russian Shahed-136/131 loitering munitions.
Another new deal struck on the sidelines of the Munich Conference was between UDI with the Danish company Weibel Scientific. The companies signed a memorandum addressing both the current military needs of Ukraine and the long-term development of its radar technologies, as noted by the UDI's General Director Oleh Huliak — particularly by "deeper integrating the domestic defense industry into the European defense-industrial and innovation base," reads the official statement.
In addition, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense officially reported on negotiations between Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Boeing Defense, represented by CEO Steven Parker. The sides discussed the nuances of producing ammunition and air-launched weapons, and prospects of establishing a joint production of drones.
Elaborating on the topic of joint ventures, the other day, Armin Papperger, CEO of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, updated on the status of the joint enterprise with UDI in an interview for DW.
As Papperger reminded, a repair plant is already operating in Ukraine and construction of an ammunition factory is underway; it will launch in 2026. Although he mentioned some delays related primarily to bureaucracy, the announced deadlines in 2026 in general align with the plans announced back in 2024 to build the facility within 24 months.
The Rheinmetall director also said the company plans to eventually build a third plant to manufacture air defense systems. Also, he emphasized that even if the war ends in the foreseeable future, Rheinmetall will adhere to its project to build all three plants in Ukraine.
Read more: KNDS Deutschland's First Project With Ukraine Will Be Gepard With Upgraded Radar
