Senior UK defense industry officials discussed Ukraine’s arms production opportunities in Kyiv, sources say The Telegraph. According to the newspaper, companies from other European countries are also negotiating with Kiev. British manufacturers are keen not to be “overtaken by French and German competitors”.
A defense executive said there was a race to put the UK “at the front of the line”. This happened against the background of how Prime Minister Rishi Sunak “opened the door” to send fighter jets to Ukraine, writes The Telegraph. The newspaper suggested that the opening of production in Ukraine would require the approval of the head of the British government. Downing Street and the Department of Defense declined to comment, saying it was an industry issue.
The UK became the first country to approve the delivery of Western-made heavy tanks to Ukraine in January. The United States and Germany later followed suit. In February, during a visit to London by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Rishi Sunak approved the training of Ukrainian pilots in March. The British Prime Minister also instructed to study the possibility of transferring aircraft to Kyiv.
About the discussion around the supply of fighters – in the material “Kommersant” “Vladimir Zelensky got involved in the tour.”
