As a further sign of developing defence industrial cooperation between the EU and Ukraine, the EU Defence Innovation Office started its activities early September in Kyiv.

The opening of the Office brings Ukraine and the EU a step closer in the implementation of the European Defence Industrial Strategy of March 2024.

Hosted by the European Union Delegation to Ukraine, the Office will promote cross-border cooperation between the Ukrainian Defence Technological and Industrial Base (DTIB) and the European DTIB. It will act as a focal point for Ukrainian partners, as well as a coordination and information hub.

The Office will play a crucial role in identifying Ukrainian needs and capacities on defence innovation, and facilitating joint initiatives and cooperation between innovative and industrial stakeholders of the EU and Ukraine. It will promote defence innovation activities in and with Ukraine, foster joint initiatives and bring together EU start-ups and innovators and Ukraine’s industry and armed forces.

The EU Defence Innovation Office will inform Ukrainian defence innovation stakeholders on access to EU programmes and possible funding options. Through such activities, the Office contributes to strengthening cooperation between the EU and Ukrainian defence industries.
A strong Ukrainian Defence Technological and Industrial Base is vital for Ukraine’s long-term security as well as its reconstruction. The reinforcement of Ukraine defence capacity contributes to Ukraine’s integration into the Union defence equipment market.

Background

The EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv was announced by President von der Leyen in a joint Press Conference with President Zelenskyy on 24 February 2024 in Kyiv.

The Office is a joint effort by the European External Action Service and the European Commission, with the support of the European Defence Agency.

Adopted on 5 March 2024, the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) aims at further supporting the Ukrainian DTIB, including through the activities of the Office, and to support the transmission of technological breakthroughs to frontlines. The Strategy acknowledges the crucial role of Ukraine as a partner to the EU and sets the objective to leverage this partnership to support EU defence readiness. To that end, the Strategy in particular stressed the importance of stimulating cooperation between the Ukrainian DTIB and the European DTIB.

The Office is also another sign of the EU’s unrelenting support to Ukraine in its fight for freedom, as reflected in the Joint security commitments between the European Union and Ukraine, signed on 27 June 2024. It showcases the EU’s willingness to accompany Ukraine in its accession path to the EU.

In its European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) regulation proposal that accompanied EDIS, the European Commission proposes measures that will directly strengthen the Ukrainian DTIB and enhance its industrial cooperation with the European DTIB.