Germany unveils 10-point plan to deepen arms industry cooperation with Ukraine

BERLIN

The German government on Monday announced a 10-point plan aimed at expanding defense industry cooperation with Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The plan includes proposals to establish a liaison office for Ukraine’s arms industry in Berlin and to strengthen collaboration on the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

It also highlights the need for both countries to take steps to combat corruption in defense procurement.

According to the German government, the plan was prepared in coordination with all relevant ministries and focuses on supporting investment by German defense companies in Ukraine.

This includes examining the use of German investment guarantees for projects in Ukraine’s defense sector.

Berlin also aims to support the integration of Ukraine’s defense industry into the wider European Union defense market.

Wherever possible, this would be supported by EU-wide defense procurement mechanisms. The government plans to purchase arms jointly with European partners "for the benefit of Ukraine," including Ukrainian-produced goods.

The formation of several joint ventures between German and Ukrainian defense companies is a key component of the strategy. These would concentrate on the joint development, manufacture, and maintenance of weapon systems.

The plan also calls for using digital battlefield data gathered in Ukraine, as well as information on how German weapons are used in the conflict, to improve military training and refine defense strategies.

Germany and Ukraine are expected to hold regular high-level discussions on arms policy in the future. In addition, Germany intends to expand the military attache staff at its embassy in Kyiv.

The German government has already allocated more than €500 million ($587 million) for this cooperation.

Defense industry collaboration was a central part of the German-Ukrainian security agreement signed in Feb. 2024, and officials say the next phase of cooperation will build on that agreement.

Separately, analysis by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) indicates that while US assistance to Ukraine has declined, support from the European Union, led by Germany, has continued to increase. Germany’s total military, economic, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, delivered both bilaterally and through the EU, has reached €42 billion.