EU outlines measures to boost Ukrainian defense industry
Photo: Josep Borrell (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Strengthening Ukraine's defense industry will be part of the EU's commitment to Kyiv's security. A forum will be held this year and the EU Defense Innovation Office will be opened, according to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
Borrell says the EU needs to strengthen its cooperation with partners, in particular with Ukraine and its powerful and innovative defense industry. Having recently visited a Ukrainian drone manufacturing plant, he was very impressed.
According to him, strengthening Ukraine's defense industry base and helping it to work closely with European industry will be part of the EU's future commitment to Ukraine's security.
He adds to stimulate this cooperation, this year the EU will hold the EU-Ukraine Defense Industry Forum and open the EU Defense Innovation Office in Kyiv.
EU strategy
On March 5, the European Commission presented the first-ever European Defense Industrial Strategy at the EU level.
Along with the new strategy, the European Commission proposed the European Defense Industry Program, which aims to "move from short-term emergency measures launched in 2023 and ending in 2025 to a more structured and long-term approach to achieve defense industrial readiness."
The program will mobilize €1.5 billion from the EU budget for 2025-2027.
The European Commission also wants Ukraine to participate in proposed new schemes to increase joint procurement and production capacity.
