Ukroboronprom signs 33 int'l contracts with companies from 14 countries during crisis - CEO
MOSCOW. April 5 (Interfax) - During the crisis, Ukroboronprom stepped up efforts to integrate the Ukrainian military industrial sector into the global chain of weapons and military hardware production of NATO member states and is already implementing a number of projects jointly with companies from NATO member states, CEO Yury Gusev said.
"We have signed 33 international agreements with companies from 14 countries that are supporting us," he said in an interview to Ukrainian media.
The director general said that in order for the Ukrainian military industrial sector to produce more high-quality high-technology military hardware and weapons it was essential to transfer technology.
Gusev gave as an example the requirements of the United States companies to establish joint ventures, explaining that unlike a concern, a JSC "with appropriate corporate management, compliance, and anti-corruption policy" can be such a partner.
"Our goal is to draw investments, technologies and integrate the Ukrainian military industrial sector into the global chain of production of weapons and military hardware of NATO member countries, primarily, of course, the U.S., the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. We have signed treaties and agreements on joint activities with a number of countries. We have already been implementing several projects jointly with companies from NATO member states," the Ukroboronprom CEO said.
Joint production projects outside Ukraine are associated with the fact that it is safe to produce weapons on the territory of NATO, he said.
"We are working to ensure that the plants are in safe places and respectively enhance cooperation with international companies," Gusev said.
He noted that there are a number of partnership projects on joint production, including munitions, with NATO member states. In particular, Ukroboronprom signed an agreement on a joint cluster with the relevant agency of the Czech Defense Ministry.
"We are welcoming readiness of certain well-known European companies to talk about the fact that in the future there will be built plants exactly in Ukraine, taking into account all security measures," the Ukroboronprom CEO added.
Along with Ramstein as such, Ukraine also needs industrial Ramstein, which will help obtain technology and equipment, Gusev said.
"Create the required closed-cycle production system, which would be integrated into the global system and provided with resilience," he said.
Gusev identified types of Ukrainian military equipment that, in his opinion, have performed well: Bogdans, BTR-4, Stugna, Vilha, Mineral-U and Neptun.
He noted that Ukroboronprom enterprises are ramping up production, including through relocation and cooperation with private companies.
"Not a single production has halted its operation and not just performs, but increases the volume of production," Gusev said.
Over 12,000 Ukrainians responded to the vacancies of the companies incorporated in the concern, and over 6,000 new employees were hired only as part of the relocation of enterprises, establishment of additional production facilities and cooperation with private companies, he said.
"We have now attracted about 100 companies that previously have not produced anything for the Armed Forces," Gusev added.