U.S. Bell Helicopter to Invest in Ukrainian Production

The renowned American helicopter manufacturer Bell Helicopter, part of Textron and a producer of cutting-edge military helicopters such as the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom, is preparing to invest in Ukraine’s defense industry, The Gaze reports.

Ukraine’s Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Oleksii Sobolev announced the initiative after holding a strategic meeting with the company’s representatives during his first week in office. 

The minister emphasized that the Ukrainian government is ready to provide comprehensive support and investment incentives to ensure the successful implementation of this project.

“This ambitious initiative could open a new chapter in defense-industrial cooperation between Ukraine and the United States,” Sobolev stated, highlighting that technical consultations and evaluations are already underway.

Sobolev’s meeting with Bell Helicopter is part of a larger agenda aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s industrial and economic recovery. 

He presented the government’s priorities to foreign diplomats and investors, focusing on attracting international investment, boosting exports and modernizing Ukraine’s industrial base, and supporting small, medium-sized enterprises as drivers of economic growth.

Sobolev also held talks with the French Special Envoy Pierre Heilbronn about establishing a Ukraine Recovery Fund that will finance dual-use projects (civilian and defense). 

In parallel, he is working with Japanese partners on initiatives for environmental recovery and equipment support for war-damaged enterprises.

As The Gaze reported earlier, Ukraine and the U.S. are in advanced negotiations over a landmark agreement that would see significant American investment in Ukrainian drone manufacturing.