On December 4, a Ukrainian delegation consisting of Deputy Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine Hanna Hvozdiar, Director General of Ukroboronprom Herman Smetanin, his deputy Mykhailo Shevchenko, Chief Specialist of the Department of Military-Technical Cooperation Andrii Kalishenko and Consul General of Ukraine Dmytro Kushneruk visited Arizona, USA. They held a series of meetings to discuss the development of Ukraine's production capabilities in the manufacture of weapons, the creation of fortifications and shelters, as well as the participation of American scientists in developments in the field of humanitarian demining in particular, and cooperation between American and Ukrainian technical students in general.

Arizona is the state where the main defense production facilities of the United States companies are concentrated. The visit was organized with the support of the Arizona Defense & Industry Coalition (AZDIC) - we remind you that the Ministry of Strategic Industries signed a Memorandum of Understanding with this organization in September 2023. This business association brings together more than two thousand powerful world-renowned defense companies that create advanced defense technologies.

During the visit, the Ukrainian delegation met with the management of the Diamond Age construction company - CEO Jack Oslan and CFO Cole Young. This company focuses on the automation of production processes, relies on robotics and 3D printing solutions. 

During the meeting, a Letter of Interest was signed on cooperation in creating shelters in Ukraine using a 3D printer. They also discussed the use of such technologies for the construction of fortifications on the front line. Jack Oslan stated the company's readiness to cooperate with Ukraine and its intention to enter the Ukrainian market.

Cooperation on humanitarian demining was discussed with representatives of the University of Arizona. In particular, university researchers shared their own ideas and developments in this area and agreed to exchange students of technical specialties.

We also held a roundtable discussion with representatives of companies that are interested in cooperating with Ukraine or are already cooperating with us. They discussed the opportunities for these companies to invest in Ukraine's production facilities, establish joint ventures, and cooperate at the strategic and short-term levels, said Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries Hanna Hvozdiar.

"It is very important for us not only to have agreements and strengthen relations between the states, but also to strengthen the partnership between the defense industries. This is the key goal of this trip. The Ministry of Strategic Industries, as representative of the delegation, acts as a bridge here: between governments and manufacturers, between private companies in Ukraine and in United States: Raytheon, Diamond Age, Plenty, Dillon Aero, Bushtex, Leonardo, Empty Shell, Boeing, Serastar, Forced Physics, New Use Energy, MD Helicopters, Lynx Software, Lux Manufacturing. Only through synergy and joint communication will create joint ventures, exchange ideas, and find ways to support each other. This will help to strengthen partnerships between the defense industries of both countries," said Hanna Hvozdiar.

The Ukrainian delegation also visited the Northrop Grumman plant, an American military-industrial company operating in the field of electronics and information technology, shipbuilding, and aerospace.

These visits took place within the framework of the conference "DFNC1: US Edition" to be held on December 6-7 in Washington, DC. It will be held in accordance with the agreements between Joseph Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskyy and will be dedicated to joint Ukrainian-American arms production. Dozens of representatives of Ukrainian and American defense companies and government officials from both countries will participate.