BAE Systems establishes local presence and signs agreements to support Ukraine

At a meeting in Kyiv earlier this week, BAE Systems announced it has established a local legal entity and signed agreements with the Ukrainian Government to ramp up the company's support to Ukraine's armed forces and to explore the supply of light guns to Ukraine.

BAE Systems, which has a base in Gloucester, originally manufactured much of the equipment that governments have provided to Ukraine.

Working with neighbouring NATO countries, the company is currently providing support, training and repairs to the Ukrainian armed forces.

The first agreement reinforces BAE Systems' support to Ukraine. It paves the way for the company to work alongside Armed Forces Ukraine (AFU) to understand and support its future force structure and capability requirements and to help revitalise Ukraine's industrial base.

The second agreement builds on that support and creates a framework for BAE Systems to work directly with Ukraine to explore potential partners and how it could ultimately facilitate the production of 105mm Light Guns in the country. BAE Systems has set up a local entity ready to support such aspirations.

These agreements come days after Ukraine and Sweden signed a statement of intent to strengthen co-operation in production, operation, training, and servicing of the CV90 platform, which is currently manufactured by BAE Systems' Hägglunds business in Sweden.

Charles Woodburn, chief executive, BAE Systems, said: "Alongside our government customers, we've been discussing with President Zelensky and his team how to best evolve the support that we're already providing to Ukraine.

"Signing the agreements and establishing a legal entity in Ukraine builds on our existing trust and support and paves the way for us to work together to provide more direct support to the Ukrainian armed forces."

Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukraine's Minister for Strategic Industry, said: "I am grateful to BAE Systems for the bold decision to stand side by side with us in the fight against Russian aggression and building the future of the Ukrainian defence industry. Together with the company, we will be able to localise the production of advanced weapons."