At the MSPO 2025 exhibition in Poland, JSC Ukrainian Defense Industry (UDI) and Lockheed Martin representatives discussed aviation maintenance and technical support in Ukraine. The discussion may indicate plans to localize F-16 servicing, which would become a landmark event for both sides.
The U.S. defense giant will establish direct cooperation with one of UDI's enterprises. In the long term, this should provide the Ukrainian enterprise with the necessary knowledge and technology to improve its production processes.
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In other words, Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of F-16 fighter jets, will help the Ukrainian defense industry master improved capabilities. Based on the meeting's topic, the discussion likely focused on localizing maintenance and technical support.
For Ukraine, this opportunity is crucial as it provides increased independence. While most components may still have to be ordered from the U.S., some work could realistically be performed locally.
It should be noted that the Ukrainian defense industry as a whole has extensive experience in servicing and modernizing Soviet aircraft, including fighter jets, which are being actively restored during the war. These technologies differ from those used in Western aircraft, but Ukraine has the capacity to carry out the necessary work, which is not widespread.
Poland has been able to master such capabilities and will now modernize its F-16s at a local facility. Romania also has a maintenance center capable of servicing six aircraft simultaneously.
It may seem that Ukraine could avoid spending on localization and rely on neighboring countries instead, but this would not be the optimal solution. Not only does it make the Ukrainian Air Force dependent on other countries, but it also effectively squanders its potential.
It should be noted that the issue of deploying F-16 maintenance capabilities remains speculative and based on the context of the meeting. In other words, there is a possibility that discussed at this meeting was a completely different project.
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