Kyiv hosted the major 'Defense 2027: Army, Technology, Industry' forum, bringing together leading military experts, representatives of the defense-industrial complex, and international partners. The main topics of the event were the radical technological transformation of the Ukrainian army, long-term contracts, and the strategic entry of domestic manufacturers into European and global markets.
Technologies and Personnel: New Frontline Challenges
Discussions on technological changes in the armed forces took place during the panel session 'What Radical Changes Do New Technologies Demand from the Ukrainian Army.' It was attended by the Commander of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Major General Oleh Apostol, Commander of the 429th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade 'Achilles' Yuriy Fedorenko, co-founder of the Dignitas Foundation Maria Berlinska, and UAV company commander of the 23rd Assault Regiment Yuriy Butusov. Participants agreed that modern warfare has evolved into a highly technological process.
Ukrainian Armed Forces officer Tetiana Chornovol emphasized that unmanned system units currently perform a much wider range of tasks than traditional reconnaissance. They halt enemy advances, destroy shelters, and disrupt enemy logistics. According to her, long-range strike capabilities allow for targeting dozens of kilometers deep, minimizing risks to the infantry. In addition, the concept of remote combat execution from rear areas, including Kyiv, is actively developing as operators control complex weapon systems.
Proactive Industry Position and Export Potential
NAUDI Executive Director Serhii Honcharov called on the Ukrainian defense industry during the forum's opening to move away from a reactive model of behavior and transition to proactive planning. According to him, it is necessary to forecast the nature of combat operations a year or a year and a half in advance, and the development of new types of weapons should be built on the close synergy of the military, the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff, and private manufacturers.
The issue of entering foreign markets was discussed on the panel 'Weapons 2027: Mission to Supply the Front and Secure a Place on the European Market.' Vladyslav Belbas, General Director of Ukrainian Armor, a company that is a member of NAUDI, stated that arms exports should be viewed not just as a source of budget replenishment, but as a key tool for attracting Western capital into the Ukrainian defense industry.
Contradictory Data
Despite a general consensus regarding the need to increase exports and attract investment, the expert community and industry representatives differ in their assessments of the current speed at which the state is adapting to new threats. Some experts and NAUDI representatives openly state that bureaucratic procedures and a reactive approach to procurement lead to a loss of precious time and investment, while other market participants note positive shifts in the unification of contracts by relevant agencies.
