The second France–Ukraine Defence Innovation Forum took place in Kyiv this week, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral cooperation between the defence industries of Ukraine and France.

The event, held in a context of heightened international interest in Ukraine’s defence sector, gathered more than 300 participants, including over 30 representatives of leading French defence firms and around 100 Ukrainian manufacturers and sectoral associations.

Organised with the support of FRU Defence, the defence division of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine, the forum served as a platform for dialogue between government officials, industry leaders, legal experts and foreign investors. The initiative builds on a growing trend of technological collaboration aimed at boosting Ukraine’s defence production capabilities and integrating them with European industrial frameworks.

One of the central events of the forum was the panel discussion titled “Cooperating and Setting up in Ukraine”. Speakers included Ihor Fomenko, Head of FRU Defence, alongside representatives of Ukrainian ministries, the State Export Control Service of Ukraine, French defence companies, and legal experts specialising in cross-border industrial partnerships.

Participants reviewed the current state of Ukraine’s defence-industrial complex, identifying both structural challenges and emerging opportunities. Among the key topics were joint production platforms, legal and regulatory conditions for foreign entry into the Ukrainian market, and the strategic value of long-term partnerships in technologically critical fields.

Fomenko underscored Ukraine’s interest in co-developing advanced systems with French partners:

“We are interested in establishing joint ventures and projects that will raise the technological level of Ukrainian defence production. Only through close cooperation can we achieve real breakthroughs in the field of armaments, which is essential for the security of Ukraine and its partners.”

The forum also highlighted practical progress in bilateral defence cooperation. French firms presented a range of advanced technologies currently under development or in testing with Ukrainian partners. These included navigation and stabilisation systems, laser-based weapons, and counter-drone solutions. Several of these innovations are already involved in joint projects and live combat trials.

The strategic dimension of the forum was reinforced by the formal cooperation between FRU Defence and GICAT (Groupement des Industries Françaises de Défense et de Sécurité Terrestres et Aéroterrestres), the main association representing the French land and air-defence industry. Established through a memorandum of understanding signed six months ago, the partnership has opened the way for closer industrial dialogue and concrete collaboration. GICAT represents more than 480 companies operating across land and air defence domains.

Ukraine was presented as a potential hub for investment and collaborative production, not only as a way of strengthening its own defence capacity but also as a gateway to new export markets. Forum participants were encouraged to consider Ukraine not simply as a recipient of military aid but as a strategic partner in the development and manufacture of next-generation systems.

Throughout the event, speakers emphasised the need for structured industrial engagement based on shared strategic interests. Discussions reflected the view that Ukraine’s defence sector, underpinned by battlefield experience and growing technical expertise, offers viable prospects for co-development and joint production, particularly in areas such as electronic warfare, unmanned systems, and missile technology.

FRU Defence, in its role as co-organiser, reiterated its commitment to facilitating this process. The organisation has positioned itself as a conduit between domestic manufacturers and international partners, offering coordination, legal consultation, and institutional support.

The Forum’s tone reflected a shift from emergency aid to long-term cooperation. As France and Ukraine deepen their strategic alignment, especially in the context of European defence integration, events such as this forum are expected to play an increasingly central role in defining the structure of bilateral industrial ties.

By reinforcing technical and legal frameworks for cooperation and highlighting existing success stories, the forum laid the groundwork for further joint ventures and technological partnerships. The organisers expressed confidence that sustained industrial dialogue and direct engagement between producers will raise the technological level of Ukraine’s defence industry and create new opportunities for international collaboration.

The France–Ukraine Defence Innovation Forum is expected to continue as an annual event, serving both as a platform for showcasing innovation and as a mechanism for strategic planning between two countries increasingly linked by defence interests.