Ukraine names new head of state weapons company to push reforms, lift supplies

Ukrainian UkrOboronProm stand with models of missile designed by State Kyiv Design Bureau "Luch" is seen inside a hall of 30th International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Poland September 5, 2022. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo

KYIV (Reuters) - The Ukrainian government appointed a new head of state-owned weapons producer Ukroboronprom on Wednesday as Kyiv seeks to boost domestic weapons production and increase transparency.

The appointment of Herman Smetanin, who has been serving as head of the Kharkiv Malyshev Plant in northeast Ukraine, as the new general director of Ukroboronprom is part of a broader transformation of the key industry, officials said.