Senior UK defense industry officials are discussing cooperation plans with Ukrainian arms manufacturers.

Such cooperation is being considered, in particular, within the framework of deepening Ukraine’s ties with NATO.

The Telegraph reported this.

According to the media, British defense enterprise executives are negotiating the organization of joint ventures to manufacture weapons and vehicles.

Other European defence companies are also in talks with Ukraine, with British companies keen not to be beaten to the punch by French and German rivals.

A race is on to put the United Kingdom “at the front of the queue”, one executive told the newspaper.

They also note that any cooperation between the Ukrainian and British defense industries requires sign-off from Rishi Sunak’s government.

In addition, it is emphasized that Serhii Markovskiy, Adviser of the Ukroboronprom concern stated that the company wants to conclude agreements with Western companies regarding the production of NATO-standard weapons in Ukraine.

“In addition to direct participation in joint ventures and a form of cooperation with Nato industry, we can also act as an important tool for replacing the Russian and Chinese influence in countries of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa,” he told defense chiefs at a seminar hosted by the Royal United Services Institute last week.

As previously reported, Ukroboronprom State Concern signed bilateral agreements with the VOP CZ company.

Those cover the joint production, repair, and development of armored vehicles, along with the development of supply chains for parts and products.