Ukraine starts customizing Soviet-made launchers with Western missiles

Ukraine has received a package of technical data from the United States to start local production of some FrankenSAM projects, Soviet anti-aircraft missile systems that are to be modernized and adapted to Western missiles.

The White House noted that Franken systems will be produced in parallel in both Ukraine and the United States. This will speed up their deployment and strengthen Ukraine's air defense.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, head of the Ministry of Strategic Industry, said the FrankenSAM platform is a project to strengthen Ukrainian air defense by taking old Soviet systems and Western systems and crossing them.

In doing so, Ukraine gets fast hybrid solutions that allow the Air Force to protect skies today.

"We looked at these solutions here, on the spot. And when we return home, we will see how such solutions are already working on the battlefield in Ukraine," the head of the Ukrainian agency said.

Kamyshin also said that long-term solutions are also being brought from Washington, including the production of ammunition in Ukraine, primarily 155-mm caliber. Ukraine already has agreements with two leading American companies, which will take up to three years to implement.

To start production, Ukraine needs the technology of its partners. Two years is the minimum period for such production.

Earlier, the White House announced strengthening of cooperation between the US and Ukrainian defense industrial bases and joint production, as well as the exchange of technical data in the defense industry.

The White House believes that this will strengthen cooperation between the United States and Ukraine and facilitate faster processing of investment agreements through the system.