French company to open air defense and radar maintenance plant in Ukraine

Archive photo: French company to open plant in Ukraine (Getty Images)

A French industrial company has signed three agreements with Ukraine. They concern the opening of a plant and maintenance of electronic warfare systems, according to the Thales website.

It is noted that the three agreements were signed on behalf of Thales under the auspices of the French Ministry of Armed Forces and the Ministry of Strategic Industry of Ukraine.

The first agreement announces Thales' intention to create a joint venture in Ukraine, which will facilitate the supply and operation of equipment for the group's defense systems portfolio, including electronic warfare, tactical communication equipment, air defense systems, and radars.

The second agreement concerns electronic warfare, where Thales will provide extensive maintenance, testing, and specialized training. This agreement is aimed at developing local maintenance capabilities in Ukraine, which will reduce repair and maintenance cycles and ensure better operational readiness.

In a separate, third agreement signed with a Ukrainian drone specialist and software development company FRDM, Thales intends to jointly develop and manufacture an unmanned aerial system capable of carrying and dropping munitions.

Western arms companies open representative offices in Ukraine

Since the war began, Western companies specializing in weapons production have started entering Ukraine.

Recently, it became known that the American military-industrial company Northrop Grumman Corporation plans to produce medium-caliber ammunition in Ukraine.