EU Defence Innovation Office

Ukraine stands steadfast in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, fighting for its freedom and sovereignty. The European Union stands with Ukraine and with the creation of the new EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv, it is strengthening its commitment to Ukraine’s defence and to bringing Ukraine ever closer to the EU. The Office demonstrates the EU unrelenting support to Ukraine in its fight for freedom, as reflected in the EU Security Commitments to Ukraine.

By developing greater cooperation between our most innovative actors in the defence sector at this critical time, we will share innovation and foster collaboration.

This is the moment to bring together all necessary counterparts to support the development of new technologies for the defence of freedom and democracy.

Robust European defence industry

As Ukraine travels along its path to accession within the European Union, the EU Defence Innovation Office will play an important role for helping to build an innovative and robust European defence industry by supporting the integration of the Ukrainian defence industry into the European defence industrial landscape.

It will support Ukraine’s determination to be free and represent the values and freedoms of the European Union whose Member States resolutely stand with Ukraine.

Meaningful opportunity

For businesses, the EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv is an opportunity to become part of something meaningful and groundbreaking.
The innovation is not just in defence capabilities, it is towards creating a safer, brighter future for all of Europe.

Together we can create the capabilities that foster prosperity and support the shared values of freedom, unity and progress.

The EU Defence Innovation Office strengthens the cooperation between the EU and Ukraine defence industries. It will become the EU's eyes and ears on the ground for defence innovation.

Its early phase will serve as a pathfinder for innovation activities in and with Ukraine. It will act as a bridge between Ukrainian needs and capabilities and the EU institutions and the European defence industry. As a coordination and information hub, it will support joint initiatives.

Key objectives

The key objectives of the EU Defence Innovation Office are to:

• act as a focal point with Ukrainian authorities to explore military and defence needs and capabilities in the R&D phase;
• identify bottlenecks and opportunities in EU-Ukraine cooperation in defence innovation;
• support and encourage cooperation between innovators from Ukraine and EU’s defence industries (the first local networking events will take place in the second half of 2024);
• focus on innovation aspects of Ukraine integration into EU defence industry ecosystem;
• strengthen the overall cooperation between the EU and Ukraine defence industries and
• support the preparation of Ukraine involvement to the future EU defence programmes.

Organisation of the EU Defence Innovation Office

The EU Defence Innovation Office is driven by EU institutions to foster a better integration of Ukraine into the EU defence industry ecosystem. It is a key deliverable for the European Defence Industrial Strategy.

Following its announcement by President von der Leyen in February 2024, the European Commission, the EEAS and the EU Delegation in Ukraine are operating in close cooperation to establish and grow the EU Defence Innovation Office.

Get in touch

If you are a part of the Defence Industry and would like to take part of the future initiatives by EUDIO Kyiv, please reach out to us to find out more.