Zelensky visits German, Ukrainian drone joint venture
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (centre left) and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (centre right) visiting drone facility Quantum Frontline Industries in Germany on Feb 13.
PHOTO: AFP
- Ukrainian President Zelensky visited a new German-Ukrainian drone plant (QFI) aiming to produce 10,000 Linza 3.0 drones for Ukraine within a year.
- German Defence Minister Pistorius called joint ventures like QFI a "blueprint" for defence, providing crucial battle experience and boosting Germany's military.
- Zelensky called the co-production a "great result" for Europe, reflecting allies' rearmament and learning from Ukraine's conflict experience.
AI generated
MUNICH, Germany – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Feb 13 visited a new drone production site established by a German and Ukrainian joint venture that aims to mass produce the equipment for Ukraine’s military.
Since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, drones have become a crucial part of the conflict
Germany’s Quantum Systems and Ukraine’s Frontline Robotics announced in December the establishment of the joint venture, Quantum Frontline Industries (QFI).
The German plant, outside Munich, is in the early stages of manufacturing and is aiming to produce 10,000 drones for the Ukrainian armed forces within a year.
Mr Zelensky, paying a visit ahead of a security conference
“That’s great that we have the first production, big co-production in Europe,” Mr Zelensky said. “We’ve got, today, I think, a great result.”
Kyiv’s European allies have also looked to learn practical lessons from the conflict as they rearm in the face of a perceived threat from Moscow and increasing disinterest in European security from the United States.
Speaking alongside Mr Zelensky, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said defence cooperation would boost his country’s efforts to rebuild its military.
“We are supporting Ukraine in its fight, but we are also benefiting ourselves, learning from the incredible amounts of data and the wealth of experience gathered on the battlefield in Ukraine,” he said.
“Joint ventures between German and Ukrainian companies are the blueprint, the right way to generate more bang for buck,” he added.
More than 60 of the Linza 3.0 drones, also in production in Ukraine, are already in service on the front lines. AFP
