On 12 January, the Defence Industry Conference Ukraine, UK, Norway, Netherlands took place. This is a multilateral event organised to create a platform for communication between defence companies from Ukraine and the three European countries. It was organised by the Ministry of Strategic Industries and the British trade association ADS Group.

Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine Herman Smetanin thanked the representatives of the partner countries for joining the ZBROYARI: Manufacturing Freedom initiative.

"The UK, Norway, the Netherlands - we consider each of these countries as a long-term and promising partner in the defence industry. Therefore, I am pleased to welcome representatives of European business here. Thank you for finding the opportunity to come. Ukraine is interested in a mutually beneficial partnership. Our cooperation will significantly increase the level of Europe's defence capability, and I am glad that we are moving in this direction together," said Herman Smetanin, Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine.

The conference brought together 155 Ukrainian, British, Norwegian and Dutch companies and associations. These private and state-owned enterprises represented various areas of the defence industry. Some of them already have partnership agreements or are in the process of implementing them. The conference was therefore an opportunity for them to strengthen existing ties and deepen cooperation.

More than 150 B2B meetings were held during the event.