Eighteen Countries Have Joined the Newly Formed Defense Alliance
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the establishment of the Defense Industries Alliance, which will bring together representatives of the defense industry from around the world.
He made this announcement while opening the Defense Industry Forum held in Kyiv on September 29.
"I am proud that today's forum is attended not only by representatives of advanced foreign companies but also by representatives of our Ukrainian manufacturers who have become stronger during the war. The world sees what Ukrainian rockets, technologies, and drones are capable of. We are creating the world's first fleet of maritime drones, making Russian military ships senseless. We have started the production of cannons and NATO-caliber ammunition needed on the battlefield. Our anti-tank missile systems have greater range and are more user-friendly than many foreign analogs. We offer our defense solutions, from management to cybersecurity," the President noted.
He also mentioned that Ukraine is interested in localizing the production of equipment necessary for its defense and every advanced defense system used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
"Today, at this forum, we announce the creation of the Defense Industries Alliance. An alliance that values international law and knows how to work to protect it. We have developed the appropriate basic declaration as the foundation for the Alliance, and companies from around the world that share our intention to create real defense against aggression in these risky modern conditions can join it," said the head of state.
Additionally, President Zelensky announced the development of a special economic regime for the defense industry.
"We need to provide all possible opportunities for each company working for the defense of Ukraine and with Ukraine, or those that want to come to Ukraine," he emphasized.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the forum, Ukrainian companies signed 20 agreements with foreign partners, and 38 companies from 19 countries joined the Defense Industries Alliance.
The First International Defense Industry Forum (DFNC1) in Kyiv brought together 252 companies from over 30 countries that produce a full range of weapons, military equipment, and defense systems. The forum was jointly organized by the Ministry of Strategic Industries, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Participating companies included tank manufacturers, artillery producers, drone makers, ammunition manufacturers, developers of innovative software, and owners of unique complex technologies from partner countries. Ukrainian state and private defense industry enterprises, ranging from large corporate groups to defense-tech startups, also participated.