Ukraine and Japan Prepare Agreement on Defense Technology Transfer

The governments of Ukraine and Japan plan to conclude an intergovernmental agreement on the transfer of defense equipment and technologies.

The document is intended to simplify the mechanisms for joint production and localization of defensive weapons, according to Deputy Head of the President’s Office Ihor Zhovkva during the IV Ukraine-Japan Forum.

The event was dedicated to global security issues and the role of both countries in shaping a rules-based order.

According to Zhovkva, the Japanese side is interested in cooperation in the field of maritime unmanned systems.

Ukraine, for its part, is ready for substantive dialogue and expansion of contacts both at the interregional level and between specific manufacturers.

The importance of direct interaction between Ukrainian and Japanese defense companies is emphasized separately.

The signing of an agreement on the transfer of defense technologies is key to the practical implementation of such projects.

According to a representative of the Office of the President, work on the text of the document is in its final stages.

The President of Ukraine has already raised this issue during contacts with the Japanese leadership.

At the same time, Ukraine is expanding its defense cooperation with partners.

In particular, UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey announced the start of production of OCTOPUS interceptor drones in January, with the first deliveries expected in February.

Japan recently transferred an unknown number of HMMWV analogues to Ukraine.