The third International Defense Industries Forum – DFNC³ – concluded in Kyiv, having already become an annual platform where decisions are made to strengthen Ukraine’s defense industry and build the arsenal of the free world.
This year, DFNC³ brought together about 2,000 participants from more than 20 countries. The event united nearly 900 private Ukrainian and foreign defense and technology companies and associations, 120 government agencies, 50 defense ministries, as well as representatives of embassies and international organizations.
The largest delegations came from Denmark, the United States, Poland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Norway, reflecting strong international interest and support for Ukraine. The forum was opened by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who emphasized that since the beginning of the full-scale war, the potential of Ukrainian weaponry has increased tens of times. At the same time, arms production is now a shared responsibility between Ukraine and its partner countries.
The President thanked international partners for their support and awarded the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, First Class, to Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, as well as the Order of Merit, Third Class, to Commander of the Norwegian Armed Forces, Army General Eirik Kristoffersen, and to the National Armament Director of the Netherlands Ministry of Defense, Vice Admiral Jan Willem Hartman.
DFNC³ participants also heard from Ukraine’s Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk. Honorary speakers included Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Robert Kaliňák, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, UK Minister for Defence Procurement and Defence Industries Luke Pollard, and Danish Minister for Industry, Business, and Financial Affairs Morten Bødskov. Investor and White Stork founder Eric Schmidt also delivered a speech.
“We are creating new partnerships and implementing joint production – both in our partner countries and in Ukraine. Through strategic initiatives Build with Ukraine and Build in Ukraine, we are not only strengthening our own defense-industrial complex but also building the arsenal of the free world together with our allies,” said Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Several important interstate and business agreements were signed during DFNC³, opening new opportunities for Ukrainian manufacturers.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Kingdom of Denmark, providing for the launch of Ukrainian defense companies’ production on Danish territory. An agreement with Slovakia was signed to supply Ukraine with non-lethal and humanitarian equipment.
With the participation of Ukroboronprom, Ukrainian companies also signed cooperation agreements with European partners, including companies from Spain and Romania.
“Ukrainian weapons are our smart power. They are unique because they are created under real, exhausting war conditions and already help our troops carry out combat missions. Cooperation between the state, business, and international partners, and the emergence of such platforms, means new production capacities, modern technologies, and the ability to make our weapons faster, better, and in larger quantities,” said Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Hvozdiyar.
The forum focused on the achievements and challenges of arms production in Ukraine and deepening defense-industrial cooperation between companies and industries of partner countries as a mutual guarantee of security.
Special attention was paid to the combat experience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which serves as a key driver in determining the direction and development of defense technologies and innovations.
Participants also focused on technological competition, with leading topics including unmanned systems, ground robotic complexes, drone swarms, and the use of artificial intelligence. Support for Ukraine’s defense industry through funding, international programs EDIP and SAFE, as well as discussions on Ukraine’s defense procurement experience, were important parts of the discussions.
Over the three days of DFNC³, dozens of B2B meetings took place between Ukrainian and foreign arms manufacturers, government structures, and international organizations. This will undoubtedly help establish direct cooperation and lay the foundation for new partnerships and the strengthening of Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex.
DFNC³ was organized jointly by the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
