EU praises Ukraine's defense industry as model for Europe
Photo: European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius (Getty Images)
Ukraine's defense industry has earned one of the highest assessments from EU representatives. Brussels explained why this progress is critical for the safety of all of Europe, according to European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius.
According to him, the rapid development of Ukraine’s defense sector has been one of the key factors enabling the country to adapt to modern warfare and change its nature.
Why Ukraine’s army is considered Europe’s best
Kubilius recalled that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Finnish President Alexander Stubb have previously described Ukraine’s military as the strongest in Europe and the most adapted to modern combat operations.
"But why do they consider the Ukrainian army the best? My answer: not only because the Ukrainian army has brave soldiers and smart commanders, but also because their defense industry is the best and the most innovative," Kubilius said.
He pointed to the explosive growth of drone production since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to Kubilius, Ukraine’s ability to rapidly introduce and scale new technologies has given it a significant advantage on the battlefield.
"We must learn from Ukraine"
Kubilius stressed that the European Union should integrate Ukraine into its common defense industry, defense market, and the future European Defense Union. He also urged EU countries to learn from Ukraine's experience in rapid and large-scale arms production.
Separately, the official drew attention to the pace of Russia's weapons production. He noted that Russia continues to outproduce the European Union in defense manufacturing, creating further security risks for the entire continent.
According to Kubilius, this creates temptation for Putin. National parliaments should ask their governments why defense industries are not expanding production despite increased funding, he added.
As evidence of Ukraine’s industrial success, Kubilius noted that since 2022 the country has increased defense production fiftyfold, reaching a level comparable to the annual output of Germany’s or France’s defense industries.
Ukraine’s defense sector is expanding international cooperation. Joint drone production projects are being launched with Norway, the Netherlands, Romania, Germany, and other European partners.
Germany has already benefited from cooperation with Ukrainian defense manufacturers. During ILA Berlin 2026, MBDA and Ukrainian Armor signed a strategic agreement to develop long-range strike systems that industry experts believe could see strong global demand.
