Ukraine and Great Britain Sign Agreement on Joint Artillery Production

Ukraine and the United Kingdom signed a project agreement on the joint production of artillery щn the sidelines of the International Defense Industry Forum DFNC3.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced this.

Alongside the artillery production agreement, the two sides also signed a memorandum on implementing the LYRA program — a partnership focused on battlefield technologies.

According to the Minister, the goal of LYRA is to strengthen the defense capabilities of both countries by combining Ukrainian and British industrial and scientific expertise. The partnership will enable the joint development, modernization, and scaling up of weapons production.

Production of British Artillery in Ukraine

Although the minister did not specify the exact artillery system to be produced, it is likely to be the 105 mm L119 light howitzer.

Discussions about producing L119 howitzers in Ukraine began in the summer of 2023, when Ukraine and BAE Systems Platforms & Services UK signed an agreement on the local production of 105 mm howitzers.

BAE Systems later established a representative office in Ukraine, enabling the development of facilities for the maintenance and production of various weapons systems. The plan to open the office was first announced in May 2023.

In March 2024, BAE Systems said it expected a contract from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense for the production of L119 howitzers.

At the time, Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin stated that BAE Systems was ready to begin production in Ukraine, pending contract approval and financing. Kamyshin also noted that Ukraine had sought support from the UK Ministry of Defense in this effort.

In April 2024, BAE Systems signed an agreement with the UK government to conduct maintenance and repair of L119 guns directly in Ukraine.

During the signing, Kamyshin noted that “We can start production [of the L119 gun] as soon as it is financed.”

Read more on the capabilities and history of the 105-mm L119 howitzer in Militranyi’s article: “British Classics in the Steppes of Ukraine: The L118/119 Howitzer.”