First International Defense Industries Forum held in Kyiv

30 September, 2023 Volodymyr Zelensky's speech at the International Defense Industries Forum (DFNC1) in Kyiv, September 29, 2023. Photo credits: Office of the President On September 29, Kyiv hosted the first International Defense Industries Forum (DFNC1), which brought together 252 companies from more than 30 countries that produce weapons and military equipment.

The forum was jointly organized by three Ukrainian ministries: The Ministry of Strategic Industries, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was the first time an event of such magnitude took place in Ukraine. The International Defense Industries Forum was opened by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

He announced a number of new initiatives to strengthen defense cooperation. The event was attended by manufacturers of tanks, artillery, drones, ammunition, innovative software developers and owners of sophisticated technologies from partner countries.

In addition, Ukrainian state-owned and private enterprises of the defense industry joined the forum. During the forum, the Ukrainian companies signed 20 documents with foreign partners. These are agreements and memorandums on drone manufacturing, repair and production of armored vehicles, and ammunition.

The cooperation formats include joint production, technology exchange, and supply of parts. An important highlight of the forum was the creation of the Alliance of Defense Industries to be joined by arms and military equipment manufacturers from around the world. According to Zelensky, at the beginning of the forum, the first 13 companies signed a declaration. At the same time, according to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, 38 companies from 19 countries have joined the Alliance of Defense Industries.

Participants of the International Defense Industries Forum (DFNC1) in Kyiv, September 29, 2023.

Photo credits: Office of the President

In addition, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine was developing a special economic regime for the defense industry.

"To give all the opportunities to realize their potential to every company that works for the sake of defense - in Ukraine and with Ukraine, or that wants to come to Ukraine," the President said.

Ukraine will also create a special Defense Fund, which will provide "additional resources, including for the development of military production and support of relevant collaborations, for the creation of new military facilities and programs needed to ensure defense." The fund will be replenished through dividends from state-owned defense assets and profits from the sale of confiscated Russian assets.