Europe–Ukraine Defense Industry Collaboration Expanding

Europe–Ukraine Defense Industry Collaboration Expanding

Executive Summary:

• The Ukrainian and European defense ecosystems are becoming more integrated through new funding channels for Ukraine, mutual technology and military strategy transfers, and joint production initiatives.
• European states are adopting Ukrainian-proven systems and tactics—such as counter-drone warfare, electronic warfare integration, and long-range strike methods—while Ukraine gains access to European industrial processes, funding, procurement frameworks, and advanced manufacturing standards in a two-way modernization cycle that strengthens both sides.
• Europe–Ukraine defense cooperation improves Europe’s military readiness while diversifying and growing Ukraine’s defense industry.

On November 5, Ukrainian Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal announced that Ukraine has been granted “Enhanced Partnership” status with the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a defense coalition of ten nations from Northern Europe. [1] According to Shmyhal, this is the first time that a non-member state has been granted this status. Ukraine will likely share its experience in combating hybrid threats, air defense, drone technologies and tactics, and conducting long-range strikes. The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) will participate in joint exercises with JEF partners to achieve full interoperability (X/@Denys_Shmyhal, November 5).

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on November 19 announced the creation of a Ukrainian–Polish information exchange group following acts of sabotage on the Polish railway. This group will share their experiences and lessons learned in dealing with Russian hybrid warfare to prevent future acts of sabotage (X/@ZelenskyyUa, November 19).

France and Ukraine signed a Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in the Acquisition of Defense Equipment for Ukraine following Zelenskyy’s visit to France on November 17. The document enables Ukraine to procure 100 Rafale F4 aircraft from France, along with SAMP/T air-defense systems, air-defense radars, air-to-air missiles, and aerial bombs. The declaration also raises the possibility of technology transfer and joint production of aircraft in Ukraine. The two countries agreed to jointly produce interceptor drones and together develop new technologies for Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (President of Ukraine, November 17). Despite the long implementation period—deliveries of all Rafale F4 are planned to be completed in 2035—and some skepticism from Ukrainian experts, such as Taras Chmut, head of the Come Back Alive Foundation, this is still a huge step forward for Kyiv (X/@TarasChmut, November 17).

These collaborations demonstrate that Ukraine is becoming an important element of the European security system. Ukraine is gradually shifting from simply a recipient of material and technical assistance from Europe to a partner that shares technologies and tactics earned through its unique combat experience. This cooperation is beneficial for European countries, some of which have begun reforming and rearming their armed forces in response to potential Russian aggression against them.

The growth of joint projects on weapons production confirms this trend. Greece has announced the start of joint production of Ukrainian naval drones. Some of the products will be supplied to AFU, and some to the Greek Armed Forces. If the project is successful, there are plans to expand it to include the production of underwater drones (Kathimerini, November 17). The sharp criticism and typical threats against the Ukrainian–Greek project from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be viewed as a recognition of the effectiveness of Ukrainian defense products and partnership efforts (Afinskie Novosti, November 21).

On November 18, the Czech Air Team company signed an agreement with Ukrainian Defense Industry JSC (also known as Ukroboronprom) for the joint development and production of air target interceptors (Ukrinform, November 18). Spain and Ukraine announced a series of bilateral development agreements for defense technologies and production following Zelenskyy’s November 18 visit. These agreements included a letter of intent on technical and financial cooperation between Kyiv and Madrid, a memorandum on countering Russian disinformation, and a memorandum on industrial cooperation between the Ukrainian defense company Praktika and the Spanish companies Escribano and Technonova (The New Voice of Ukraine, November 18).

On November 5, the European Commission and the European Parliament opened a path for Ukrainian access to the European Defense Fund. Besides taking a step toward more funding and cooperation in defense industry development and construction, the agreement “also paves the way for Ukraine’s gradual integration into the European Defense Technological and Industrial Base” (European Commission, November 5). On November 25, the European Parliament took a further step, approving $345 million for the Ukraine Support Instrument of the European Union’s Defense Investment Program. 

The opening of exports of the latest Ukrainian weapons systems is another extremely important step in EU–Ukraine defense integration. The first contracts are expected in the second half of 2026 and would mark the first Ukrainian weapons exports since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 (Ukrinform, November 7). The first stage will involve the export of Ukrainian unmanned air and sea systems. Despite the risk of exporting weapons during wartime, it could help Ukraine develop its own defense industry, better finance its needs on the front, and improve its position in the global arms market. For Kyiv’s partners, this is an opportunity to improve the combat capability of their own armed forces by obtaining unique weapons that have proven success on the battlefield (see EDM, July 8, 2024; Militarnyi, November 13).

The AFU can become a valuable provider of advanced combat experience for European partners in addition to military technology cooperation. Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, inspector of the German Army, noted in an interview that veterans of the AFU will soon train Bundeswehr officers. In his opinion, it is impossible to replicate battle experience, and therefore it is important to take the Ukrainian experience into account when training German military personnel (FAZ, November 20). Ukrainian participants in training courses in Europe also point to a serious gap between modern combat tactics and the methods used by European soldiers. Europeans, in particular, lag behind in the use of drones, and the AFU can help them adapt to the latest tactics (ВВС Ukraine, November 17). Russia has been engaged in similar cooperation and training for a long time, with its army actively sharing its experience with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Iran, and North Korea.

Ukraine is increasing the number and scale of joint defense projects with European partners. In the context of ongoing diplomatic turmoil, this could become an important means of ensuring Kyiv’s sovereignty and security. Diversification of production will help reduce risks for Ukrainian companies amid ongoing Russian attacks. For partners, defense industry cooperation opens access to the latest Ukrainian technological developments and the opportunity to study the combat experience of the AFU. Ukraine is gradually becoming an important element in strengthening Europe’s collective security and military-industrial resilience. This collaboration, in turn, requires robust involvement from Europe to counter Russian aggression and ensure Ukraine’s survival.

Note:

[1] “The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) is a coalition of ten like-minded nations (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom), comprising high readiness forces configured to rapidly respond to crisis” (JEFNations, accessed December 3).