Defense company Ukrainian Armor has signed a strategic partnership agreement with European missile maker MBDA to jointly develop long-range strike and counter-drone capabilities.
The agreement opens discussions on long-term cooperation between the two companies, including technology sharing, joint manufacturing programs, and potential collaborative development projects.
According to MBDA, the initial focus areas will be deep strike and counter-drone systems, both of which have become increasingly important as Ukraine seeks to expand its long-range attack capabilities while defending against Russian drone operations.
The partnership could eventually lead to the creation of a joint venture. MBDA added that it aims to support Ukraine’s defense industry by helping strengthen local manufacturing capabilities and sharing expertise in missile system design, production, and support.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Armor Technology CEO Vladislav Belbas described the agreement as a step toward strengthening Ukraine’s defense industry and increasing technological autonomy.
“Our main task is to ensure the technological autonomy of Ukraine and to give our defenders weapons that will provide an operational advantage on the battlefield,” he said.
Ukraine Defense’s Foreign Partners
The agreement is part of a broader trend of Ukrainian defense companies partnering with major Western firms to expand production and accelerate technology development.
In April, Finland’s Patria, Ukraine’s Double Tap Investments, and the IRON Cluster signed an agreement to cooperate on defense technology development and testing.
The same month, Ukraine and Bulgaria discussed potential joint production of unmanned aerial systems and counter-drone capabilities, including detection, tracking, and interception, with possible coordination through Ukraine’s Brave1 defense innovation platform.
In February, Germany’s Wingcopter and Ukraine’s TAF Industries agreed to form a joint venture to support defense production and diversify manufacturing across Ukraine and Germany.
The Ukrainian government also announced plans to establish 10 weapons export centers in Europe in 2026 to manage surplus equipment sales and redirect proceeds toward urgent military needs.
