The defense industry forum was held in Brussels to discuss cooperation and increase munitions production for kyiv in response to Russia’s continued aggression.
The European Union hosted a defense industry forum on Monday to find new ways to supply Ukraine with much-needed weapons and ammunition.
Some 140 companies from 25 different countries took part in the event in Brussels, aimed at establishing a link between the defense industries of Ukraine and the European Union.
Industry representatives gathered to discuss how Ukraine’s defense production capacity could be brought into line with Europe’s.
The representatives also discussed how Ukrainian companies could increase production and meet the country’s needs within its borders. This would reduce transportation costs and produce tools where they are needed.
“We produce in Europe, but we should be able to produce on Ukrainian territory”declared the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, “in order to reduce costs and delivery times and to be closer to Ukrainian needs.”
Providing Ukrainian forces has proven to be a difficult task for the country’s allies. More than two years after Russia’s total invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has continued to make Kyiv’s industrial capabilities one of its main targets in an attempt to weaken its resistance.
This is the first time that the EU has hosted the forum. It was first held in Ukraine in 2022, then in the United States the following year. Industry representatives have widely expressed a desire to integrate the Ukrainian defense industry into the ecosystem of European defense capabilities, a priority shared by their Ukrainian counterparts.
“Our goal is to find additional funding for the supply of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the Ukrainian defense industry”said Ukrainian Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin. “It’s the quickest way to help the front line”he added.
This news follows a proposal for a European defense industrial strategy. This strategy aims to prepare the defense industry within the EU after the return of high intensity conflict to the continent.
The plan also proposes €1.5 billion in funding to prepare the European defense industry to make the EU more secure and benefit its main allies, including NATO and Ukraine. .
