Germany prepares major expansion of defence cooperation with Ukraine – Bild
Germany is preparing a comprehensive weapons partnership with Ukraine that is expected to benefit both countries.
Source: European Pravda, citing a 10-point plan agreed upon within the German government coalition and obtained by German tabloid Bild
Details: The plan envisages a broad weapons partnership with Ukraine. In the medium term, this would see German-Ukrainian weapons deployed on the front lines and also used by Germany's armed forces.
Germany is already Ukraine's largest military contributor in Europe. The plan signals the start of the next stage, which is expected to benefit both Germany and its defence industry.
The document sets out how Ukraine and Germany should cooperate on defence in future:
- Regular high-level defence policy consultations between the defence ministries
- Establishing a liaison office of Ukraine's defence industry in Berlin (Ukraine Freedom House) to improve engagement with German companies, alongside strengthening contact points for the German defence industry in Ukraine, including through Germany's embassy in Kyiv
- More staff and greater authority for military attachés at Germany's embassy in Kyiv, with a permanent professional exchange on Ukraine's weapon needs
- New flagship projects for joint research, development and production of weapons, aimed at using Ukraine's strengths in drones and related technologies
- Ongoing transfer of technology through a larger number of joint ventures in the defence sector, with exchange in both directions, including producing Ukrainian-developed weapons in Germany
- Creating a large alliance with European partners to procure weapons for Ukraine, partly using Ukrainian-made weapons
- Integrating the Ukrainian industry into the pan-European market for defence goods
- Possible use of federal investment guarantees for investment in Ukraine's defence industry
- Continuous exchange of information on developments at the front. Plans include the transfer and use of recorded digital battlefield data from Ukraine and the sharing of practical experience on using German defence technologies in Ukraine
- Creating a dedicated anti-corruption shield for weapons deals with Ukraine.
Background:
- Ukraine earlier reached an agreement with France that envisages the purchase of up to 100 French Rafale fighter jets.
- Ukraine will also be able to receive eight SAMP-T air defence systems in the future.
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