Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, which produces ammunition for NASAMS air defence systems, is working on establishing a joint production facility in Ukraine, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
“We are currently setting up a company in Ukraine and are in close discussions with the Ukrainian industry to establish a joint venture. The priority is to scale up missile production for our air defence system in Ukraine using Ukrainian technology. We are talking about the mass production of missiles - hundreds of them. We plan to launch joint ventures within the next few months,” said Eric Lee, the company’s president.
He emphasised that this initiative is aimed at fostering a long-term partnership.
“At Kongsberg, we want to leverage the strength of the Ukrainian industry. In the long run, once the war is over, Ukraine could become part of the supply chain for missiles used in air defence systems,” Lee said.
- Recently, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about Ukraine’s domestic weapons production, highlighting ongoing preparations for ballistic missiles. “Palyanytsya [a Ukrainian drone missile] is flying. [Peklo] is flying. [Ruta] is flying. They are making progress. They have military targets and are hitting them […] All three are operational. Ballistic missiles are being prepared,” Zelenskyy said.
- Last August, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine had successfully tested its first ballistic missile.