DFNC2: EU Edition forum held in Brussels
Today, the Second EU-Ukraine Defence Industries Forum (DFNC2: EU Edition) took place in Brussels. The event, hosted by the European Union, was co-chaired by EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius and Ukraine’s Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin. Also in attendance were EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Ukraine’s Presidential Advisor on Strategic Issues Oleksandr Kamyshin.
The forum was supported by Poland’s Presidency of the EU Council and the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD).
The event aimed to strengthen cooperation between the defence industries of Ukraine and the EU, enabling Ukraine to acquire the capabilities needed for its defence and better address its defence and industrial requirements. A robust and capable defence industry helps Ukraine become a strong state, able to protect itself and deter future aggression.
The DFNC2: EU Edition Forum brought together over 500 participants, including government officials from European countries and the EU. More than 100 European companies and associations, over 30 Ukrainian companies and organisations, and representatives from approximately 20 countries participated. High-level conferences and business meetings provided a platform for dialogue and potential collaboration, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises.
The event helped identify specific initiatives for cooperation and innovation, promote joint procurement, and pave the way for potential flagship projects between EU and Ukrainian defence companies. Closer collaboration between defence firms will facilitate the further integration of Ukraine’s defence industry into the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), aligning with Ukraine’s EU aspirations and the Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness to 2030.
A key highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on defence-industrial cooperation between the Ukrainian Government and the European Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association (ASD).
The forum underscores the EU’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty, freedom, and independence against russia’s brutal war of aggression, emphasising the importance of ensuring a just and lasting peace in Ukraine for European security.
The EU and its Member States continue to work on providing greater and faster military assistance to Ukraine, including through the European Peace Facility funding instrument. This is complemented by the EU’s proposal to support joint procurement between Member States and Ukraine, encourage purchases from Ukraine’s defence industry, and foster joint ventures between European and Ukrainian defence industries.
Alongside military aid, the EU emphasises the development of defence-industrial cooperation with Ukraine and the strengthening of Ukraine’s defence-industrial base. These efforts aim to boost defence production, support Ukraine’s self-defence, and contribute to the recovery, reconstruction, and modernisation of Ukraine’s defence technological and industrial base.
The EU also announced the establishment of a new EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Cooperation Task Force and the transformation of the EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv into the EU Defence Industry Office in Ukraine (EUDIO). These initiatives aim to increase direct investments by EU companies in Ukraine’s defence-industrial market and enhance defence-industrial cooperation.
The forum is part of a series of international defence-industrial events initiated by the Ukrainian Government in Kyiv in September 2023, with this being the second event hosted by the EU.
The concept of the EU-Ukraine Defence Industries Forum (DFNC2: EU Edition) was first proposed by the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS), with the inaugural event held by the EU on 6 May 2024. The Joint White Paper on European Defence Readiness proposed measures to involve Ukraine in collective EU-level activities for developing defence capabilities and integrating Ukraine’s defence industry into the EDTIB, particularly in light of Ukraine’s EU accession process. Closer alignment with EU defence companies will also enable the EDTIB to leverage Ukraine’s experience in scaling production and accelerating the development of innovative defence technologies. The role of industry in strengthening European defence capabilities is critical to achieving EU defence readiness.
EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius emphasised that Ukraine’s defence forms an essential part of European defence and that the establishment of the EU Defence Industry Office in Kyiv represents a new step in defence-industrial cooperation with Ukraine. He noted that Europeans have much to learn from Ukraine’s battlefield experience and should aim to develop defence systems not only for Ukraine but also in collaboration with it. He added that this reflects the spirit of the White Paper on European Defence Readiness to 2030, which was adopted in March 2025.
“We achieved significant results following the first forum in May last year. I am delighted that the EU-Ukraine Defence Industries Forum is becoming a tradition. Today, around 30 Ukrainian defence companies and associations were represented here, with a great opportunity to establish and strengthen ties with European counterparts. I sincerely thank the entire European community for the incredible support you have provided to Ukraine throughout the three years of full-scale invasion. Thank you to EU Member States for defending Ukraine’s interests at the highest international level and for taking concrete steps to bolster Ukraine’s defence capabilities. As Ukraine’s defence industry grows, it makes Europe as a whole more resilient. Together, we are stronger!” concluded Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine Herman Smetanin.