Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the conclusion of promising deals with French companies aimed at starting drone production in Ukraine, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
“We are ready to expand joint production in the defense sector. There is a decision by French companies to start production of unmanned aerial vehicles in Ukraine — and this is extremely valuable“, Zelensky wrote on the social network “Ex“ after meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Kiev.
Meanwhile, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius presented details of the additional aid Berlin plans to provide to Ukraine, DPA reported.
Pistorius said that Germany is financing the purchase of long-range drones, which will be produced in Ukraine itself. "They will destroy Russian planes, drones and missiles on the ground before they can pose a threat to Ukraine, its cities or infrastructure," he stressed.
The first systems financed by Germany will be delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces in the coming days and can be deployed immediately, the minister added.
As for the Patriot air defense systems, Pistorius said that Ukraine needs five more of them to effectively defend itself against Russian air strikes. Germany has already promised to deliver two Patriot missile systems purchased from the United States.
Berlin's initial plan was to buy two systems from the United States, each costing about 1 billion euros, and deliver them directly to Ukraine. However, since they are not yet available, Germany will provide Ukraine with two of its own nine Patriot systems, with replacements from the United States at a later date.