On Monday, July 20, 2026, the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 in the United Kingdom, British company BAE Systems signed a licensing agreement with its strategic defense partner to support the local production of light artillery in Ukraine.
Photo: BAE Systems
The licensing agreement will provide access to the technical information and support from BAE Systems required to manufacture the first gun for testing. The strategic partnership will support the development of a variant of the L119 light howitzer intended for use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The L119 is a 105 mm light howitzer designed by BAE Systems. This proven and highly capable towed artillery system is valued for its mobility and reliability. The agreement builds on BAE Systems’ long-term support for Ukraine and its cooperation with Ukrainian industry to strengthen the country’s sovereign defense capabilities. It reflects a shared commitment to developing a resilient industrial base capable of supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine over the long term.
Giles Ambrose, Engineering, Technology and Strategy Director, BAE Systems Weapon Systems UK:
“Strong defence capability depends on trusted industrial strategic partnerships. This agreement brings together BAE Systems’ artillery expertise and our strategic defence partner’s knowledge of Ukraine’s operational requirements to support the development of sovereign capability where it’s needed most. Supporting Ukraine is not simply about supplying equipment. It is also about working together to build the industrial resilience, skills and capacity needed to sustain defence capability for the long term.”
The agreement follows BAE Systems’ continued investment in the United Kingdom’s artillery capabilities, including efforts to restore domestic manufacturing capacity and support the supply of British-made 105 mm and 155 mm artillery barrels from Sheffield to Ukraine (BAE Systems delivers first artillery barrel forgings to Ukraine).
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