Kateryna Mykhalko, Executive director of Tech Force in Ukraine, during the discussion “Arms production investments. Are Western partners ready to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities?” outlined the key challenges faced daily by Ukrainian arms manufacturers.

The speaker emphasized that:

• the specific features of the defence business in Ukraine –  meaning constant risks related to contracts, personnel mobilization, attacks on production facilities, inspections by security agencies, and information attacks;
• manufacturers require greater clarity and predictability in contracts, pricing, and regulation, not less bureaucracy ;
• the absence of exports restrains the development of the industry, discourages systemic investors, and decreases the capitalization of companies, creating risks for Ukraine’s long-term defense capability;
• there is an uncertainty regarding military intellectual property and the rules of its regulation;
• the necessity of a clear strategy for international cooperation in the field of weapons production is required;
• among the positive steps today are the launch of the Build with Ukraine program, the adoption of Defence City legislation, and the initiation of several production projects abroad.

The video recording

in Ukrainian is available here: https://cutt.ly/erXbvdvm

in English is here: https://cutt.ly/4rZcFA41.

Photo-report: https://cutt.ly/wrVgoJig

This event is funded by the UK government as part of the “Mutual Transformative Power: changing Ukraine through cooperation with wider Europe” project, implemented by the New Europe Center. The views expressed during the event are those of the participants and may not coincide with the official position of the UK government.