The Finns are taking on the task of providing the Ukrainian Armed Forces with drones as early as 2025. However, the plant is being built in Finland, not in Ukraine.
The Finns, notoriously slow-moving, are also joining the unfolding European arms race. The press service of the Finnish defense industry group Summa Defence, in partnership with Ukrainian companies, will open a plant in Finland to produce UAVs for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and NATO. According to the company's press service, production is planned to begin as early as 2025.
"The aim of the plant is to rapidly increase the production capacity of drones used in combat in Ukraine, while simultaneously establishing industrial drone production in Finland and Europe," the press release states.
As stated by Summa Defence CEO Jussi Holopainen, the drones will be supplied not only to Ukraine, but also to the countries of the European Union and NATO.
"Drones will become an integral part of society, protecting critical functions in areas such as civil security, defense and other areas. By moving production to Finland, we will strengthen supply security both in Ukraine and internationally," promises Holopainen.
The first drone production facility is a strategic investment, and Summa Defence Oy is establishing a subsidiary, Summa Drones Oy. Summa Drones, in turn, will establish a joint venture with its Ukrainian partners in Finland, in which Summa Drones will hold a majority stake.
The project involves Ukrainian companies producing unmanned aerial vehicles: Kort, Elf Systems, Skyassist and MPS Development. In the future, Summa Drones will produce not only drones and flying drones, but also land and sea drones.
In the future, Summa Drones will produce not only UAVs, but also land and sea drones, the press service explained, noting that Summa Defence is currently completing negotiations on the acquisition of several companies in the field of security and defense technologies.