THALES Belgium has signed a memorandum of cooperation with a Ukrainian defense company to jointly produce anti-UAV missiles. Further expansion of cooperation with the transfer of technologies and components is planned.

The Belgian arms company THALES Belgium and a Ukrainian defense industry enterprise have signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of arms production. It concerns the organization of joint production of air defense equipment, the Ministry of Strategic Industries reported, UNN reported.

THALES Belgium signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with a Ukrainian defense company. This agreement provides for the joint production of missiles to counter enemy UAVs. We also expect that this cooperation will expand in the future to include the transfer of technologies and components for these missiles. This cooperation will strengthen Ukraine's defense industry and the protection of critical infrastructure from enemy drones

– Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine Herman Smetanin said on Telegram.

According to the Ministry of Strategic Industries, this joint production will allow to strengthen the protection of Ukraine's critical infrastructure facilities in the shortest possible time.

Smetanin expressed his gratitude to THALES for expanding cooperation with Ukrainian defense companies and for supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities.

For reference

Thales Belgium, formerly Forges de Zeebrugge (FZ), is a weapons manufacturer based in Gerstal, Belgium.

Forges De Zeebrugge SA was founded in 1988. The company's activities, according to Bloomberg, include the production of ammunition and accessories, such as naval, aircraft, antiaircraft, tank, coast, and field artillery products.

According to open sources, the modern FZ is a subsidiary of Thales and is a leading manufacturer of air-to-ground missile systems (70 mm, 2.75 inches), including the rocket launcher (7, 12 and 19 tubes), missiles and the fire control system.