Lithuanian defence company Unmanned Defense Systems (UDS), which develops and manufactures drones, has launched a joint venture in Ukraine called UDS Ukraine, the company announced on its website.
UDS said the joint venture was established to provide the company with a permanent presence in Ukraine and to build long-term cooperation with the military, technology companies and other partners.
“For companies operating in the defence industry, a presence in Ukraine is no longer an option but a necessity. This is where technologies can be tested, improved and developed according to real battlefield needs. That is why we welcome UDS’s decision to establish a presence in Ukraine, work directly with Ukrainian partners and develop solutions shaped by those on the front line,” Lithuanian Ambassador to Ukraine Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė was quoted as saying.
The team beginning operations in Ukraine will work directly with Ukrainian users and partners. In particular, the joint venture will be responsible for product deployment, operator training and advising units that use UDS drones.
“At the same time, Ukraine’s unique operational experience will provide critical feedback for the further development of UDS systems. By combining UDS’s engineering capabilities with the experience of Ukrainian users of defence equipment, the company aims to develop solutions that meet rapidly changing battlefield requirements,” the company said in its statement.
According to the Lithuanian drone manufacturer, UDS Ukraine is being developed as a Ukrainian company that understands the local market and will become part of Ukraine’s defence industrial base, said Stepan Veselovskyi, CEO and co-owner of the Ukrainian subsidiary.
