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BAE Systems Establishes Local Presence
and Signs Agreements to Support Ukraine
BAE Systems is a USUBC Member
BAE Systems, London, UK, Thu, Aug 31, 2023
BAE Systems website: https://www.baesystems.com/
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and BAE Systems CEO Charles Woodburn. Photo by BAE Systems
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.
Left to Right: Oleksii Reznikov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Christian Seear, BAE Systems Senior Director Central & Eastern Europe, President Zelenskyy, Gabby Costigan, Group Managing Director, Business Development for BAE Systems, and Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems CEO. Photo: BAE systems
BAE Systems 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 cooperation in production, operation, training, and servicing of the CV90 platform, which is currently manufactured by BAE Systems’ Hägglunds business in Sweden.
“Alongside our government customers, we’ve been discussing with President Zelenskyy 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.”
Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems
“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 localize the production of advanced weapons.”
Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukraine’s Minister for Strategic Industry
Volodymyr Zelenskyy Met
with Representatives of BAE Systems
The Presidential Office of Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine, Thu, Aug 31, 2023
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with representatives of BAE Systems, a multinational company headquartered in London that operates in the fields of arms production, security, and aerospace.
The Head of State thanked CEO Charles Woodburn and the BAE Systems team for the visit and the decision to open its representative office in Ukraine.
"We highly appreciate when private companies open their offices in our country at such a time. First of all, this is a very important signal of support for our people, Ukrainian citizens," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
The President noted that the weapons manufactured by BAE Systems, in particular L119 and M777 artillery systems, CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, are already actively used in Ukraine, helping bring victory in the confrontation with the Russian aggressor closer and receiving extremely positive feedback from the Ukrainian military.
According to him, Ukraine seeks to be a co-creator of a new effective system of European and global security, which is impossible without a powerful defense industry. To build it, our country wants to attract leading defense companies from allied countries.
As a result of the meeting, the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine and BAE Systems signed a Cooperation Agreement on the localization of BAE Systems arms production in the presence of the President of Ukraine and the CEO of BAE Systems.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and BAE Systems also signed a Framework Agreement on cooperation in the repair, spare parts and production of new L119 light guns.
At the end of the meeting, Charles Woodburn presented Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a commemorative certificate dedicated to the opening of the BAE Systems Ukraine office and the start of the company's cooperation with our country. It signifies BAE Systems' commitment to sustained support for the Ukrainian people.
Note: Photos by The Presidential Office of Ukraine
Official Telegram Channel of President Zelenskyy:
The best weapons that are currently helping our warriors defend Ukraine should be produced in Ukraine. The development of our own weapons production is a top priority.
In particular, artillery – L119 and M777 systems, armored vehicles – robust CV90. These are the weapons of BAE Systems, which is starting to operate in Ukraine.
I met with the company's CEO, Charles Woodburn. It was a very productive meeting. The company's office in Ukraine. Localization of production in Ukraine. A joint result for the security of our country, the whole of Europe and the free world.
Together we make freedom stronger. Thank you for your visit to Ukraine and the meaningful start of our cooperation!
LINK: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/7575
