Ukrainian Armor and MBDA Join Forces in New Venture for Long-Range Strikes

Strategic Partnership Agreement Signed

According to Главком: On June 10, at the ILA Berlin airshow, Ukrainian Armor and MBDA formalized a Memorandum of Understanding for a strategic partnership. The two companies plan to establish a joint venture dedicated to advancing defense technologies, with an initial focus on two key areas:

• Deep Strike (long-range precision strikes)
• Counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle systems

The signing took place in Berlin during the ILA Berlin exhibition. Vladyslav Belbas, CEO of Ukrainian Armor, and Thomas Gottschill, MBDA’s Vice President for Strategy and Future Development, discussed the details of their upcoming collaboration. An official MBDA press release highlights that

“exchanging technological expertise, developing joint production programs, and implementing innovative solutions will provide an operational advantage in high-intensity conflicts and lay the groundwork for close cooperation aimed at establishing a joint venture.”

German Chancellor’s Perspective

Separately, against the backdrop of this agreement, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz shared his views on supplying Ukraine with long-range Taurus cruise missiles. He stated that he

“sees no point in transferring long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine,”

arguing that “Ukrainian long-range weapons are far more effective than the relatively small number of Taurus cruise missiles that Germany could provide.”

This alliance between Ukrainian Armor and MBDA unlocks fresh opportunities for advancing defense technologies in Ukraine, particularly in long-range strikes and air defense. It represents a significant step toward strengthening Ukraine’s defensive capabilities amid modern security challenges, while also opening new avenues for investment in the country’s domestic military industry.

In a related development, the strengthening of Ukraine's defense capabilities is further highlighted by the recent agreement between Latvia and Ukraine for drone technology cooperation. This partnership, signed by President Zelenskyy in Estonia, emphasizes the growing international support for Ukraine's military modernization efforts. To learn more about this significant drone deal, click here.