Kyiv is negotiating with Western defense companies to produce modern weapons in Ukraine.

Serhii Boyev, Deputy Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, mentioned this in a comment to Reuters.

He shared that the contracts could be signed in the coming months.

According to Boyev, Kyiv is currently negotiating with manufacturers from Germany, Italy, France, and Eastern Europe to produce weapons in Ukraine.

“We are having very detailed discussions with them. And we are certain that we will have the contracts agreements signed within the next few months,” Boyev noted at the Paris Air Show.

By encouraging foreign defense companies to produce weapons in Ukraine, Kyiv could meet its own needs more effectively and develop its defense industry to target the global market, as well as create new jobs for Ukrainians.

“The future deterrence of aggression will require a strong defense industry in Ukraine and strong Ukrainian Armed Forces,” Boyev said.

It is noted that negotiations on the production of drones may take longer, but Boyev is sure that production in Ukraine can be an effective way to take advantage of the country’s experience of drones and create jobs in the west and center of Ukraine.

At the Paris Air Show on Monday, Boyev spoke with UAV manufacturers, from large international defense companies to small suppliers. However, he declined to comment on which companies he had met with.

“We are discussing different levels of cooperation. Some of the companies note that they are willing to come and invest and produce drones,” the Deputy Minister said.

A senior European defense industry source, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared with Reuters that European drone testing rules and standards could make it harder for companies to manufacture them in Ukraine. However, Boyev expressed hope that it will still be possible to attract foreign drone manufacturers and added that the Ukrainian government will be able to offer them significant support.