Ukraine and Bayraktar sign drone memorandum

The Ukrainian
government and drone maker Bayraktar Savunma signed a memorandum regarding
Bayraktar drones on Sept 29. The memorandum was focused on the construction and
development of a center in Ukraine for training personnel and maintaining,
repairing, and upgrading Bayraktar’s UAVs. The document was signed by Defense
Minister Andriy Taran and Bayraktar CEO Haluk Bayraktar, president.gov.ua
announced on the same day.

In the announcement,
the presidential website also notes that the Ministry of Defense states that
the next step in this direction is the construction of a UAV plant in Ukraine,
built with Bayraktar’s own funds, “where Ukrainian specialists will work.”

James Hydzik:
President Zelensky called the move “real support for the sovereignty and
independence of Ukraine,” but in practical terms the creation of a plant in
Ukraine will also help to keep skilled workers at home. Since the Turkish
company found itself needing to defend itself in the EU after its drones were
used by the Azeri military in the 2020 Azeri-Armenian war, having different
proving ground, namely Donbas, and diversifying its production might help it in
the marketplace as well.