The Hessian drone manufacturer Wingcopter and the Ukrainian company TAF Industries have agreed on a far-reaching cooperation on the sidelines of the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Within the framework of a newly founded joint venture, the production of reconnaissance drones and unmanned aerial systems will be relocated to Germany and massively scaled up there.
The ceremonial signing of the declaration of intent took place in the presence of high-ranking government representatives from both countries. The alliance aims to ensure the production of critical military equipment in a secure industrial environment outside the direct war zone, thereby securing the long-term supply of Ukrainian armed forces.
The partnership is part of the "Build with Ukraine" program and envisions close technological integration. TAF Industries, currently the largest producer of unmanned aerial vehicles in Ukraine, contributes combat-proven designs and operational expertise to the collaboration. In return, Wingcopter provides its state-of-the-art infrastructure and technical know-how in the field of autonomous aviation. To provide organizational support for this project, Wingcopter has established the new "Wingcopter Security & Defence" business unit. This division will leverage the potential of existing dual-use technologies and bring military cargo and reconnaissance applications to series production readiness.
Beyond providing immediate support to Ukraine, the partners are pursuing strategic goals for the European market. The plan includes the joint development of future drone platforms specifically tailored to the requirements of NATO member states. Establishing local manufacturing capacities in Germany aims not only to make supply chains more resilient but also to secure highly skilled jobs in the technology sector. This cooperation marks a turning point for Wingcopter, which has previously focused primarily on commercial delivery drones for medical supplies and is now increasingly positioning itself as a player in the European defense industry.
Government circles in Berlin and Kyiv view the project as a prime example of modern industrial cooperation. Relocating production protects the Ukrainian defense industry from targeted attacks on its infrastructure while simultaneously leveraging the industrial scalability of Germany as a production location. The planned industrial-scale manufacturing is intended to secure technological superiority in unmanned systems. The companies emphasized that the cooperation forges a lasting link between the two defense ecosystems and sustainably strengthens Europe's collective resilience against future security threats.