Ukraine and France launch joint production of interceptor drones

Ukraine and France have signed a declaration on defence cooperation, the Office of the President has reported. The two sides plan to begin joint work later this year.

The agreement covers the development and production of interceptor drones, as well as the creation of critical components and technologies that can be integrated into Ukrainian unmanned systems. The cooperation provides for the involvement of Ukrainian and French defence companies, including in the areas of production localisation and joint engineering.

In addition, Ukraine will be able to acquire military equipment from France’s defence industrial and technological base to support the modernisation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This primarily concerns 100 Rafale F4 aircraft to be delivered by 2035 for Ukraine’s combat aviation, SAMP/T air-defence systems, air-defence radars, air-to-air missiles and aerial bombs.

The agreement also allows for the transfer of technologies and the joint production of aircraft with localisation in Ukraine.

Last week, Defender Media reported on the launch of a joint Ukrainian–US production line for interceptor drones.