British defense giant BAE opens office in Kyiv to localize weapons production

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

英防衛大手ＢＡＥ、キーウに事業所開設　兵器生産の現地化へ

2023.09.02 Sat posted at 15:30 JST

（ＣＮＮ） 英国の防衛大手「ＢＡＥシステムズ」は２日までに、ウクライナの首都キーウに事業所を開設し、先端的な兵器の国内生産の強化を図るウクライナ政府はこれを歓迎する考えを表明した。

ウクライナのゼレンスキー大統領は、キーウを訪れた同社のチャールズ・ウッドバーン最高経営責任者（ＣＥＯ）と会談し、ＢＡＥシステムズの今回の進出をたたえた。

同ＣＥＯは「自由と独立のための戦いにあるウクライナにとって信頼できるパートナーでありたいと欲している」とし、「将来的な新たな侵略の試みを効果的に阻止するため、強力かつ持続性ある技術力を持つ防衛産業の育成のパートナーになることを望んでいる」とも主張した。

ウッドバーン氏の訪問などに伴い、ウクライナの地元企業と手を組み兵器の国内製造を開発するための複数の合意事項の調印もあった。ＢＡＥ社製の軽榴弾（りゅうだん）砲「Ｌ１１９」のウクライナ内での共同生産も含まれる。

ウクライナのカムイシン戦略産業相は、ＢＡＥシステムズの今回の投資はウクライナの防衛産業の将来を築く上で助けになると主張。同社の協力で先端兵器の製造の現地化が可能になるだろうと期待した。

ロシアの侵略への抗戦が続くウクライナは最近、国産の砲弾の製造能力の強化などを図る対策を発表。ドローン（無人機）の産業基盤を迅速に拡大させる方策も盛り込まれた。

ＢＡＥシステムズは収入ベースでは昨年、欧州の防衛関連契約では最大規模となる３７０億ポンドを記録。ただ、この業績の大半はロシアのウクライナ侵攻前に交わされた契約によるものだった。

Translation

(CNN) British defense giant BAE Systems was about to open an office in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, a move welcomed by the Ukrainian government as it sought to boost domestic production of advanced weapons.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated BAE Systems on the move during a meeting with the company's CEO, Charles Woodburn, who was visiting Kyiv.

The CEO said "We want to be a reliable partner for Ukraine in its fight for freedom and independence," and also suggested that “In order to effectively deter new invasion attempts in the future, we hope to become a partner in developing a defense industry with strong and sustainable technological capabilities."

Woodburn's visit was also accompanied by the signing of several agreements to partner with local Ukrainian companies to develop domestic production of weapons. Joint production of BAE's light howitzer "L119" in Ukraine was also included.

Ukraine's Minister of Strategic Industries Kamyshin said the BAE Systems investment would help in respect of shaping the future of Ukraine's defense industry. He hoped that the company's cooperation would enable local production of advanced weapons.

Ukraine, which continued to fight against Russian aggression, recently announced measures to boost its capacity to manufacture domestic artillery shells. Measures to quickly expand the industrial base of drones were also included.

Last year based on income BAE Systems had recorded £37 billion, making it the largest in defense contract in Europe. Most of this business achievement, nevertheless, was due to contracts signed before Russia invaded Ukraine.

              So, BAE Systems has signed agreements to partner with local Ukrainian companies to develop weapons. Obviously, BAE Systems’ investment will help shape the future of Ukraine's defense industry.