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create joint defence enterprises with Western companies and localize the production of weapons, demining equipment, and other military equipment, Minister of Economy Yulia Svyridenko said. She added that, with regard to the defence industry, there are specific goals and objectives that include creating five joint ventures with Western arms manufacturers. According to her, there are also plans to develop industrial parks. Last year, the number of industrial parks in the register reached 70, but only 10 are operating currently. “Our task is to focus this year on creating at least five working, innovative parks," Svyridenko said. At the same time, the government entered the BF Terminal industrial park in the Berehiv district of the Zakarpattia region into the register of industrial parks. It will house several industrial enterprises specializing in the woodworking industry and the manufacture of wood products.
Ukraine needs more attack aircraft. Ukraine requires more attack aircraft, including jets to support infantry and planes to fire long-range missiles, Ground Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said in an interview with Reuters published on Jan. 12.
The Bundestag calls for the transfer of long-range missiles to Ukraine and the authorization of strikes on the territory of the Russian Federation on January 6. Greens defence spokeswoman Sarah Nanni said, "The most effective defence against Russian airstrikes is to fire at targets in Russian territory and in the occupied territories in eastern Ukraine, from where the Russians are launching its attacks." She added this is the best defence for Ukrainian civilians, and it is stipulated by international law. As well, the foreign policy expert of the opposition Christian Democratic Union, Roderich Kiesewetter, believes that German cruise missiles will be indispensable for such strikes. "Taurus is important because this system is very effective and can be used to destroy supply and command structures far behind the front line," he said. The CDU politician admitted that with the help of long-range weapons, Ukraine could destroy the Crimean Bridge, making it impossible to supply Russian troops through Crimea, destroy the Black Sea Fleet, and thus liberate the peninsula.
A German arms company will open a repair plant in Ukraine. German MP Markus Faber said that German defence company Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) has started constructing a service center for armored vehicles in Ukraine. According to him, deploying repair capacities within the country will significantly increase efficiency and reduce the time required to restore equipment to service. With the move, FFG will become the second German defence company after Rheinmetall to build its own facilities on Ukraine's territory. FFG is one of the largest suppliers of armored vehicles to Ukraine. The company specializes in repairing military equipment such as Leopard 1A5 tanks, WiSENT 1 MC engineering vehicles, Pionierpanzer 2A1 Dachs, and IRIS-T SLS anti-aircraft system launchers.
Scholz criticizes EU for providing insufficient military aid to Ukraine. "As significant as the German contribution is, it will not be enough to ensure Ukraine's security in the long run," said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The US will be unable to supply Ukraine with Patriot missiles for a long time. According to a January NYT report, representatives from the White House and the Pentagon have warned Ukraine that the US will not be able to provide Ukrainian Patriot batteries with interceptor missiles, the cost of which can be from $2M to $4M.
30 UKRAINE Country Report February 2024 www.intellinews.com