From Naval Drones to Air Defence: Ukraine Seeks to Build a Military Tech Partnership with Japan – ArmyInform

From Naval Drones to Air Defence: Ukraine Seeks to Build a Military Tech Partnership with Japan  ArmyInform

Ukraine wants to develop defence technology cooperation with Japan at both government and private sector level, and is offering Tokyo a Drone Deal. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this in an interview with the Japanese broadcaster NHK, an excerpt of which he posted on his page. The President named cooperation between Ukrainian and Japanese defence companies as one promising area. More than 70% of Ukraine’s defence industry is in the private sector, he said, so direct contacts between businesses in the two countries are important. “I think we can increase bilateral trade, especially if we focus on the defence industrial base,” he said. Among the areas for such cooperation, Volodymyr Zelenskyy listed drones for maritime monitoring, reconnaissance and demining, as well as air defence and cybersecurity.

The President also said Ukraine is interested in concluding a Drone Deal with Japan. This format provides for a long-term defence partnership, including joint production, technology transfer and the exchange of experience. Ukraine is already concluding such agreements with other partners. “We wanted to conclude a Drone Deal with Japan. Perhaps you will need some defence equipment. That, of course, is for Japan to decide,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. At the same time, he drew attention to differences between Ukrainian and Japanese legislation that will need to be taken into account in establishing such