In a renewed attempt to bolster Ukraine’s defence against Russian drone strikes, Thales Belgium has entered a partnership with a Ukrainian defence enterprise to jointly produce anti-drone missiles. This was announced by Ukraine’s Minister for Strategic Industries, Herman Smetanin, on November 2 via Telegram. This collaboration represents a significant step in Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its domestic defence industry amid continued military aggression from Russia.
“This cooperation will strengthen the Ukrainian defence industry and the protection of critical infrastructure from enemy drones,” Smetanin said.
According to recent reports, Russia has intensified its drone attacks on Ukraine, launching over 2,000 drone strikes in October alone – a new record which surpasses the previous high set in September by nearly 700.
The agreement between Thales and the Ukrainian defence industry takes the form of a memorandum of cooperation, which lays the groundwork for future collaboration on technology transfer and the production of missile components. As Smetanin highlighted:
“We also expect this cooperation to expand further – to include technology transfer and components for these missiles.”
Thales Belgium, known for its expertise in 70mm air-to-ground rocket systems, is reportedly the only company globally that manufactures a complete rocket system, encompassing fire control systems, weapons and ammunition. This collaboration is anticipated to boost Ukraine’s capabilities in air defence technology and aligns with the country’s broader strategy of increasing self-reliance in military production.
In recent months, Ukraine has established multiple partnerships with international defence firms, including German Rheinmetall for armoured vehicles, British BAE Systems for artillery systems, Swedish Saab for anti-tank weapons and American Lockheed Martin for various defence technologies. Each of these agreements aims to establish joint production facilities within Ukraine, addressing both immediate defence needs and building a foundation for long-term domestic manufacturing capacity.
Smetanin concluded, stating the agreement with Thales will “enhance critical infrastructure protection against Russian drones” and serve as a significant addition to Ukraine’s defence-industrial complex.
Post Image Credit: FZ
