Germany plans large-scale defence partnership with Ukraine
Germany is preparing to significantly expand defence cooperation with Ukraine and launch a comprehensive arms partnership. German media reported this with reference to a ten-point plan agreed within the coalition.
According to the plan, in the medium term, the weapons created jointly by Ukraine and Germany will be used at the frontline and in the Bundeswehr. Berlin, which is already Ukraine's largest military donor in Europe, is moving to a new stage of cooperation that should benefit both countries and their defence industries.
The plan envisages regular consultations at the level of the defence ministries, expanding the powers of military attaches in Kyiv and constant exchange of data on the needs of the frontline. A representative office of the Ukrainian defence industry, Ukraine Freedom House, is to be set up in Berlin to interact directly with German companies.
A special emphasis is placed on joint research, development and production of weapons using Ukrainian experience in the field of drones. It is also about technology transfer in a bilateral format, launching joint ventures and possible production of Ukrainian developments in Germany.
The document envisages the integration of the Ukrainian defence industry into the pan-European market, the creation of an alliance for arms procurement in favour of Ukraine and the use of German investment guarantees. A separate clause provides for an anti-corruption mechanism for defence contracts.
