lang="EN-US">The second EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum took place in Brussels on 12 May to bolster cooperation and integration between the Ukrainian and EU defence industries. More than 500 representatives from EU and Ukraine defence industries came together to strengthen cooperation between both sides, to encourage joint procurement and help Ukraine to obtain capabilities in priority areas. A strong and capable defence industry is crucial to put Ukraine in a position of strength to defend itself and deter any future aggression.
In the margins of the Forum, a newly announced EU-Ukraine Task Force on Defence Industrial Cooperation also met for the first time, paving the way for potential flagship projects between the EU and Ukrainian defence industries.
Closer cooperation between defence companies will contribute to further integrating the Ukrainian defence industry into the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), aligning with Ukrainian EU aspirations and the Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030 . Under the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 regulation, Ukraine has already been fully associated to ensure alignment between its defence sector and that of the EU. This partnership will enable Ukraine to participate in joint procurement initiatives and allow EU member states to purchase from Ukrainian defence industries.
At the Forum, Ukraine and the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) have also signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen defence industrial cooperation. The initiatives are designed to attract greater EU investment in Ukraine's defence sector and deepen industrial ties between the two sides.
To date, the EU is the largest public investor in the Ukrainian defence industry, with a significant investment of €1.4 billion from 'windfall profits' (obtained from net profits from immobilised Russian Central Bank assets). This support will accelerate the production of military equipment, from artillery systems to drones, significantly supporting Ukraine's defence efforts, bolster Ukraine's economy and the EU's long-term security guarantees to Ukraine.
The EU and its Member States continue to work on delivering more and faster military assistance to Ukraine, notably through the European Peace Facility funding instrument. The EU supports common procurement between Member States and Ukraine and encourages procurement from the Ukrainian defence industry alongside joint ventures between the European and Ukrainian defence industries.
The event was organised by the EU and hosted by the High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, together with the Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine Herman Smetanin. It received support from the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD).
Background
The Forum is part of a series of international defence industries events initiated by the Ukrainian government in Kyiv in September 2023.
The concept of the EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum was first proposed by the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) . The inaugural edition was organised by the EU on 6 May 2024. The Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness has proposed measures to associate Ukraine to the EU-level collective activities to develop defence capabilities, and to integrate the Ukrainian defence industry into the European Defence Technology and Industrial Base, in particular with a view to Ukraine's accession process to the EU.
The EU and Member States have committed to continue addressing Ukraine's pressing military and defence needs. To date, the EU and Member States have delivered €50.3 billion military assistance to Ukraine. Under the European Peace Facility, the EU has provided lethal and non-lethal military equipment to Ukraine, including ammunition, as well as covered common costs for the training of over 74,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained so far by the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM).
At the Foreign Affairs Council on 14 April 2025, a large majority of Member States expressed support for the High Representative's ammunition initiative to provide 2 million rounds of large-calibre ammunition in 2025, as requested by President Zelenskyy. Two-thirds of the target are already met. 25 Member States will actively participate in the provision of ammunition to Ukraine under this initiative. In addition, Norway will support the acquisition of ammunition under the initiative for a total value of 5 billion NOK (approx. €428 million).
