Current:Home > StocksUkraine hosts a defense industry forum seeking to ramp up weapons production for the war-VaTradeCoin
Ukraine hosts a defense industry forum seeking to ramp up weapons production for the war
lotradecoin functionality View Date:2024-12-25 23:41:10
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine hosted an international defense industry conference as part of a government effort to ramp up weapons production within the country to repel Russia’s full-scale invasion and reduce foreign dependence on arms deliveries.
The event marked a new development in support of Ukraine, with the previous focus being on the delivery of weapons, repair of damaged equipment and military training of Ukrainian soldiers.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the opening of the International Defense Industries Forum, said that around 250 defense companies from more than 30 countries had gathered Friday in Kyiv. Defense ministers and representatives of several countries also attended the event.
“Heroism alone cannot intercept missiles. Ukraine needs capabilities, high quality, high quantity, and quickly. There is no defense without industry,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who spoke by video link during the forum on the day after his visit to Kyiv.
Stoltenberg said that Wendy Gilmour, who is NATO’s assistant secretary general for defense investments, was representing the trans-Atlantic alliance at the event.
Stoltenberg acknowledged that many allies have significantly depleted their stocks in order to support Ukraine. “This was the right thing to do, but now we need to ramp up production, both to meet Ukraine’s needs and to ensure our own deterrence in events,” he said.
Zelenskyy disclosed the details of his recent trip to Washington, where he agreed with U.S. President Joe Biden on “the establishment of a new industrial ecosystem that will strengthen both Ukraine and all the partners.” Zelenskyy described it as “one of the key outcomes” of his negotiations with Biden in Washington.
Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said that there will be meetings soon with representatives from the U.S. “to determine the road map of cooperation with the partners about localization of production, specifically in Ukraine.”
During the forum, Zelenskyy announced the creation of the Defense Industries Alliance and added that 13 defense companies have already signed the corresponding declaration.
To support the cooperation and develop an industry complex, Ukraine plans to establish a special fund, which will be paid into through dividends from state defense resources and profits from the sale of confiscated Russian assets, Zelenskyy said.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the first talks about joint production with allies began last fall. “At first, we were talking about repairs within Ukraine, and then about joint production. And now, this topic is prevalent everywhere,” said Kuleba.
According to Kuleba, in discussions with the partners, there is also a tremendous interest in the experience and production capabilities of Ukrainian businesses.
“Just as we have benefited from Western weapons, Western arms manufacturers also gain unique advantages in the market to improve their models and create even more powerful weapons,” Kuleba said.
Ukraine’s recently appointed Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, said the country must do everything possible to produce all the necessary military services and products in Ukraine for the needs of its army. The other priority is the development of defense technologies that now play an important role on the battlefield.
“Our vision is to develop world-class military products,” Umerov said.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
veryGood! (587)
Related
- Stock market today: Asian shares advance, tracking rally on Wall Street
- Shooting claims the life of baby delivered after mom hit by bullet on Massachusetts bus
- Trump ‘temporarily’ drops lawsuit against former lawyer-turned-witness Michael Cohen
- Rolling candy sold nationwide recalled after death of 7-year-old
- What Americans think about Hegseth, Gabbard and key Trump Cabinet picks AP
- 5 Latin queer musicians to listen to during Hispanic Heritage Month, including Omar Apollo
- Railroad unions want scrutiny of remote control trains after death of worker in Ohio railyard
- Trust author Hernan Diaz on his love for the music of English
- Michael Bublé Details Heartwarming Moment With Taylor Swift’s Parents at Eras Tour
- Chelsea Handler Sets the Record Straight on Her NSFW Threesome Confession
Ranking
- Travis Kelce Praises Taylor Swift For Making Eras Tour "Best In The World"
- Police identify 2 suspects in shooting that claimed life of baby delivered after mother shot on bus
- You’re admitted: Georgia to urge high school seniors to apply in streamlined process
- Republican-led Oklahoma committee considers pause on executions amid death case scrutiny
- This house from 'Home Alone' is for sale. No, not that one.
- Spanish charity protests Italy’s impounding of rescue ship for multiple rescues
- Invasive snails that can be deadly to humans found in North Carolina
- Trump allegedly discussed US nuclear subs with foreign national: Sources
Recommendation
-
China says Philippines has 'provoked trouble' in South China Sea with US backing
-
House fire or Halloween decoration? See the display that sparked a 911 call in New York
-
Suspect in helmeted motorcyclist’s stomping of car window in Philadelphia is jailed on $2.5M bail
-
Why Sister Wives' Kody Brown Felt Powerless in His Relationship With His Older Children
-
Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
-
Why Ukraine's elite snipers, and their U.S. guns and ammo, are more vital than ever in the war with Russia
-
Thousands of US workers are on strike today. Here’s a rundown of major work stoppages happening now
-
Bangladesh gets first uranium shipment from Russia for its Moscow-built nuclear power plant