DFNC2, or the development of the Ukrainian defense industry as the best investment in global security

Exclusive. Ukrainians in the difficult conditions of a full-scale war under constant Russian strikes were able to build a virtually new defense industry. Thanks to this, Ukraine can become one of the key global security donors and a strong player in the market of weapons and defense technologies.

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"If once, years ago, the Ukrainian "defense" looked, unfortunately, helpless, now it is an industry that is on the way to leadership, at least in Europe. Now these are industries that Ukraine can rightly be proud of again. Thanks to the defense industry, Ukraine should become one of the key global security donors and a very strong player in the global market of weapons and defense technologies. Anyone who will be with us, who will be with Ukraine, I am sure, will win," said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky at the opening of the 2nd International Forum of Defense Industries (DFNC2) in Kyiv. 30 countries and almost 300 enterprises took part in the event - it united hundreds of participants. The most numerous were the delegations from Denmark, Great Britain, the USA, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic. The forum was attended by representatives of BAE Systems, KNDS, MBDA, D&M Holding Company, Amentum Services Inc., AeroVironment, Inc. Industries Association.

Only in the first half of 2024, Ukraine produced 25 times more ammunition for artillery and mortars than in all of 2022. The total number of drones that Ukraine can produce annually is 4 million, and more than one and a half million have already been contracted. The armed forces have already begun to use a completely new class of Ukrainian weapons — the Palyanitsa long-range drone missile. Other types of long-range drones work, as well as sea drones. Our new ballistic missile has successfully passed flight tests. Successful use of Neptune missiles continues, up to 20 Bogdan artillery systems are produced every month.

In Ukraine, a new repair base was created for our equipment, which helps our soldiers hold the front and perform vital tasks for the entire state. For example, the French-German defense concern KNDS, which produces Leopard tanks and Caesar howitzers, opened a subsidiary in Kyiv. LLC "KNDS Ukraine" will help "Ukroboronprom" carry out maintenance, repair and overhaul of weapons. These are Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 tanks, Caesar, AMX10 RC, PzH 2000 artillery systems and Gepard anti-aircraft guns. The concern noted that they plan to jointly produce artillery ammunition of 155 mm caliber and spare parts. American AeroVironment signed an agreement with a Ukrainian company to localize the production of the Switchblade 600 barrage ammunition. Ukraine guarantees each of its partners that new opportunities will be used to strengthen global stability. "Peace with Ukraine — a free and strong Ukraine — is much safer," noted Volodymyr Zelensky.

Each visit and meeting with partners, as well as communication with defense companies, brings Ukraine more investments, more new technologies and, accordingly, more production opportunities. Within the framework of DFNC2, a number of new agreements were concluded, as well as important documents were signed. As reported by the Ministry of Strategy and Industry, the first document was signed even before the official start of the forum - during the visit of the Danish delegation of the Ministry of Defense and the Parliament of Denmark headed by the Minister of Defense of Denmark Trols Lund Poulsen on September 29. This is a letter of intent between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of Denmark to implement financial support for defense production in Ukraine. A memorandum of understanding was also signed at the forum between the Ministry of Strategy and Industry and DI Defense and Security Industries Association (Denmark). In addition, Ukrainian companies have signed a number of documents with foreign companies on the development of the production of ammunition, electronic warfare equipment, air and sea drones, and repair of weapons.

The development of the military-industrial complex is the main guarantee of Ukraine's national security in the strategic perspective. In addition, as the EU and NATO have repeatedly stated, the best investment in global security is investment in the security of Ukraine.

Vera Perovskaya