Ukraine to produce British L119 artillery systems

British defence company BAE Systems and a strategic Ukrainian defence partner have signed a licensing agreement for the production of Light Gun artillery systems in Ukraine.

Source: BAE Systems following the Farnborough International Airshow, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "The strategic partnership will support the development of a variant of the L119 Light Gun for use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine."

Details: The Ukrainian defence company involved in the agreement has not been identified. The announcement states only that the document builds on BAE Systems' long-term support for Ukraine and its cooperation with the Ukrainian industry.

BAE Systems said the agreement will give the Ukrainian company access to the technical information and support required to manufacture the first gun for testing.

"Strong defence capability depends on trusted industrial strategic partnerships. This agreement brings together BAE Systems' artillery expertise and our strategic defence partner's knowledge of Ukraine's operational requirements to support the development of sovereign capability where it's needed most. Supporting Ukraine is not simply about supplying equipment. It is also about working together to build the industrial resilience, skills and capacity needed to sustain defence capability for the long term," said Giles Ambrose, Director of Engineering, Technology and Strategy at BAE Systems Weapon Systems UK.

Background:

• It was recently reported that the United Kingdom has signed contracts with several companies to develop its first ballistic missile in over half a century, seeking both to support Ukraine and to reduce Europe's dependence on American weapons.
• On 16 July, former UK prime minister Keir Starmer also announced €300 million in funding to support the delivery of 16 aircraft to help protect Ukrainian skies.

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