The new effort aims to support Ukraine’s participation in various defence programmes including those focused on common procurement. 

Ukraine and the EU have concluded their first meeting of the newly established ‘EU–Ukraine Task Force on Defence Industrial Cooperation,’ an initiative set to improve collaboration between the two regions.

The task force, held and announced by European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius on 12 May, was initially teased in the EU’s European Defence Readiness white paper in March, which details how the EU will rearm Europe.  

“Today is an important day. Today we announce the creation of the inter-institutional EU–Ukraine Task Force”, Kubilius said, speaking at the EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum.

“Today Ukrainian and European experts will convene for the very first meeting. To assist integration of our defence industries, to facilitate development of joint projects or joint procurement processes,” Kubilius added. 

During the meeting, leading officials from Ukraine and the EU discussed the scope and priorities of the task force as well as the short and long-term cooperation needs and potential future collaboration opportunities, a separate announcement from the commission revealed on 14 May. 

Key objectives of the task force, the announcement continued, include enhancing industrial cooperation between the EU and Ukraine and facilitating communication on production capacities, operational challenges, and lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.

Supporting Ukraine’s participation in EU defence programmes for industrial reinforcement and common procurement is also a top priority for the task force. 

The European Commission had not responded to DSEI at the time of publication regarding when the task force is likely to meet next, or what the focus will be going forward.  

Europe pushes hard on Ukrainian involvement

This task force is the latest in a series of initiatives to strengthen Ukraine and bring the country further into the European fold on matters of defence.

Denmark, for example, has been championing the ‘Danish Model,’ an approach that funds Ukrainian defence companies directly, rather than providing the country with donations of equipment. 

Sweden’s donation of SEK1 billion (USD92.7 million) in military aid to Ukraine or the UK’s GBP2.26 billion loan and GBP1.6 billion deal for air defence missiles for Ukraine this year are also testaments to Europe’s commitment to Ukraine.

This support is not one-sided. In his address on the recently announced task force, Kubilius expressed the benefits for both Ukraine and the EU.

While Ukraine can benefit from the EU’s production capacity, financial resources, and technologies, Kubilus said the EU can take advantage of the speed and agility of Ukraine’s defence market.