**Ukraine and Western Allies Launch Joint Weapons Production Program**
In a significant move towards self-sufficiency in defense production, Ukraine has launched a joint weapons production program with members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), also known as Ramstein summit participants. The announcement was made by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on July 1.
**A New Era in Military-Industrial Cooperation**
The UDCG was formed in 2022 to coordinate military assistance for Ukraine among its allies. With the new joint production program, new factories and weapons manufacturing facilities will be built in Ukraine and abroad, where UDCG member countries have agreed to participate in the Ramstein-format summit. This is a major breakthrough in military-industrial cooperation, where Ukraine is an equal partner and player in the global defense market.
**New Legal and Tax Framework**
To facilitate the construction of new sites and rapid scaling up of production, new legal and tax regulations will be put in place for Ukrainian weapons manufacturers. The Defense Ministry has joined forces with the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s parliament) Finance, Tax, and Customs Committee to present four draft laws regarding domestic weapons production.
**International Partnerships**
This move is part of a broader effort by Ukraine to scale up its defense production capabilities. President Volodymyr Zelensky has been lobbying foreign partners to provide funding to help match its manufacturing capacity. Recent agreements on joint weapons production have been signed with the UK, Denmark, and Norway.
**What’s Next?**
The first vote on the new legislative package is expected to take place in a month. This is a crucial step towards implementing the new program. As Ukraine takes control of its defense production, it will be interesting to see how this partnership develops and what impact it will have on the global defense market.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
