Which foreign arms manufacturers are already operating in Ukraine?

As of mid-2025, at least eight foreign companies have already opened or plan to open arms production facilities in Ukraine. These includes research, assembly, maintenance, and repair operations, as well as full-scale production of armored vehicles, artillery, ammunition, strike drones, small arms, and even air defense systems. Companies from Germany, the Czech Republic, Canada, and Turkey have already invested in local manufacturing. Other countries are currently in the planning stage.

Facilities that have already opened in Ukraine:

1. Atlas Aerospace (Latvia) – A light drone research and development center that has been operating since 2023.
2. Rheinmetall (Germany) – An armored vehicle repair and manufacturing workshop opened in June 2024. An ammunition production line is expected to start in 2026, with plans for air defense systems.
3. Colt CZ (Czech Republic) – In December 2024, licensed assembly of NATO-standard assault rifles began. The company plans to replace all Soviet-made assault rifles in Ukraine with the Bren 2.
4. KNDS Deutschland (Germany) – A military equipment repair and maintenance plant opened in January 2025.
5. Roshel (Canada) – Production of armored vehicles has been ongoing since March 2025.
6. Baykar (Turkey) – Construction of a plant to produce Bayraktar attack drones is expected to be completed by August 2025.

At least two companies are in the planning stage:

1. Northrop Grumman (US) – Plans have been announced to produce medium-caliber ammunition.
2. BAE Systems (UK) – Plans are in place to start maintenance and local production of artillery systems, including the M777.

All of these projects are carried out in partnership with the Ukrainian defense industry, aiming to shorten logistics chains, increase supply efficiency to the front lines, and lay a foundation for Ukraine’s future defense independence.