Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s “X” post dated August 31, 2023.
BAE Systems is contemplating the production of 105mm light guns in Ukraine, having recently established a local legal entity and signed agreements with the Ukrainian government.
The first agreement solidifies BAE Systems’ commitment to support Ukraine by collaborating with the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) to understand and meet their future force structure and capability needs while aiding in the revitalization of Ukraine’s industrial sector.
The second agreement builds upon this support, providing a framework for BAE Systems to work directly with Ukraine to explore potential partnerships and facilitate the local production of 105mm Light Guns. BAE Systems has already established a local entity prepared to support these efforts.
These agreements follow Ukraine and Sweden’s recent statement of intent to enhance cooperation in the production, operation, training, and servicing of the CV90 platform, currently manufactured by BAE Systems’ Hägglunds business in Sweden.
The move on Thursday will enable BAE to work directly with Kyiv officials to explore potential partners for a plan to ultimately produce 105mm light guns, a kind of artillery weapon, in Ukraine and to better understand its capability requirements.
As the United Kingdom’s biggest defence contractor, BAE has manufactured much of the equipment that Britain and other governments have provided to Ukraine as it fends off Russia’s invasion.
Britain is a key defence supplier for Ukraine and in May became the first country to start supplying Kyiv with long-range cruise missiles.
“The best weapons that are currently helping our warriors defend Ukraine should be produced in Ukraine,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X, formerly Twitter, following a meeting with BAE Chief Executive Charles Woodburn.
“The development of our own weapons production is a top priority.”
The Kremlin on Friday said it saw BAE opening a local entity in Ukraine “negatively”, and any facilities producing weapons used against Russia would become targets.
