Ukraine and Belgium sign MoU to cooperate in the defense sphere.

According to Militarnyi, Ukrainian and Belgian defense companies have inked six agreements marking the commencement of their collaboration within the defense industry, the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine (Minstrategprom) confirmed.
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One of the dozens of M113 armored personnel carriers refurbished at John Cockerill Defense's facility in July 2023 before delivery to the Ukrainian army (Picture source: JCD)

The interaction unfolded during a seminar focused on the defense-industrial complex (OPK), spanning from January 23 to 24. Notably, this gathering was attended by delegates from 33 Ukrainian firms, as well as 8 Belgian companies, alongside representatives from the Association of the Belgian Security and Defense Industry (BSDI), and governmental officials responsible for defense and security from both nations.

The purpose behind organizing this seminar was to facilitate connections between Ukrainian and Belgian defense entrepreneurs, fostering agreements for cooperation, and further strengthening the strategic alliance between the defense industries of Belgium and Ukraine. As a tangible outcome of this endeavor, six cooperative agreements were signed between Belgian and Ukrainian enterprises.

Herman Smetanin, the General Director of JSC "Ukrainian Defense Industry," underscored that Ukroboronprom's mission extends beyond merely fulfilling the weaponry and military equipment requirements of Ukraine's Defense Forces. It also entails the mastery of manufacturing new product categories and the incorporation of cutting-edge expertise and technologies.

Furthermore, a significant Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the defense departments of both Ukraine and Belgium. In the words of Lieutenant General Frederik Getin, Belgium's National Director of Armaments: "Today, we are proud to announce the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine. This contributes to the flexibility and high technological capabilities of the Belgian industry for a long-term partnership with the Ukrainian industry to implement the strategy of the Ukrainian government."

Looking ahead, Belgium has planned to allocate 611 million euros in military assistance to Ukraine in 2024, coupled with support for the modernization of Ukraine's Defense Forces. This announcement was made by Ukraine's Minister of Defense, Rustem Umyerov, following a telephone conversation with the head of the Belgian Ministry of Defense, Lyudivin Dedonder.

Additionally, Belgium intends to dispatch two of its two-seater F-16BM jet fighters to Denmark in March. These aircraft will be employed for training Ukrainian pilots, reflecting another dimension of their collaborative efforts.

In the words of Lieutenant General Frederik Getin, Belgium's National Director of Armaments: "Today, we are proud to announce the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine" (Picture source: LinkedIn account of Belgian Minister of Defense Ludivine Dedonder)

Seminar on the defense industry of Ukraine and Belgium held on 23 and 24 January 2024 (Picture source: Ukrainian Ministry of Strategic Industry)

Defense News January 2024