Ukraine says deal paves way for ‘large-scale joint projects’ while separately Kyiv opens exports of its locally made weaponry. What we know on day 1,448
Ukraine and France have agreed to start joint weapons production, the Ukrainian defence minister said on Monday after hosting his French counterpart in Kyiv. Mykhailo Fedorov said the two countries signed a letter of intent paving the way for “large-scale joint projects in the defence-industrial sector”. He did not specify what arms would be produced with France or when manufacturing would start. “We are moving from supplies to joint production and long-term solutions that systematically strengthen our defence,” Fedorov said on Telegram after the meeting with France’s armed forces minister, Catherine Vautrin, in the Ukrainian capital. Ukraine and France also discussed new shipments of French weapons and military equipment to Kyiv, including of Aster missiles, Mirage 2000 fighter jets and SAMP-T air defence systems.
Ukraine is opening up exports of its domestically produced weapons, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said – a way for Kyiv to cash in on its wartime technological advances to generate badly needed funds. He said 10 “export centres” for Ukrainian weapons would be opened in 2026 across Europe, adding that combat drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), would be among the exports. “Today, Europe’s security is built on technology and drones,” Zelenskyy said. “All of this will be based largely on Ukrainian technology and Ukrainian specialists.”
