Ukrainian Defense Industry Gradually Integrates with Europe Despite Regulatory Hurdles
Ukrainian defense technology manufacturers are gradually establishing cooperation with foreign companies, overcoming differences in approaches and standards.
THe Gaze reports on it, referring to Ukrinform.
According to Igor Fedirko, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Arms Council, foreign defense companies approach cooperation with Ukrainian manufacturers cautiously due to differences in experience and organizational standards.
Most Ukrainian companies, existing for only 1–3 years, operate in wartime conditions and seek rapid solutions, while large European enterprises and their governments are accustomed to a more gradual and regulated approach.
“We simply do not speak the same language of maturity with them: we are young, enthusiastic, fast, we need to move quickly, while old Europe and old large companies say: don't rush, we will take a look, assess the situation, talk to this and that person, talk to our government,” Fedirko explained.
As an example, the executive director recalled the words of one of the representatives of the German Ministry of Defense, who said that in Ukraine, compared to Germany, there is “virtually no regulation of the defense sector,” whereas in Germany, even the slightest deviation is unacceptable.
At the same time, both sides are gradually bridging these gaps. Ukrainian companies are learning to adhere to European standards and processes, while foreign partners gain access to innovative developments such as various types of drones and robotic systems.
This creates a win-win cooperation model that allows for the exchange of experience and technologies.
Germany and Denmark remain Ukraine’s most active partners in Europe, where joint ventures are already being established that combine European production standards with Ukrainian innovations. An example is the joint venture between Quantum Systems and Frontline Robotics, which demonstrates a practical outcome of this collaboration.
According to Fedirko, the creation of a joint venture between Quantum Systems and Frontline Robotics proves that cooperation with Ukraine is possible and extremely necessary for both sides.
The venture combines Ukrainian technological designs from Frontline Robotics with German expertise in production automation from Quantum Systems, creating a fully automated production line in Germany. All drones manufactured will be supplied exclusively to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Importantly, Quantum Systems has prior experience operating in Ukraine, having opened a technical servicing and logistics center in 2023 to support contracts with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
As The Gaze reported earlier, Ukraine announced that it would provide foreign defense companies with the opportunity to test their modern weapons directly on the front line in the war with Russia.
Read more on The Gaze: Ukraine’s War-Driven Defense Innovation