Ukraine’s defence industry is stepping into the global spotlight, leveraging its wartime experience to attract international investment and partnerships. The country’s first major exhibition of domestically produced defence equipment, held in Lviv this week, drew over 5,000 attendees from more than 50 nations, underscoring a growing interest in Ukrainian innovation.
The two-day event showcased the resilience and adaptability of Ukraine’s defence sector, with 230 companies presenting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), missiles, artificial intelligence (AI) systems, and other cutting-edge military technologies. Many of these innovations have been battle-tested in real combat, giving them a unique edge in the global market.
Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, set the tone in his opening remarks, emphasising the country’s urgent need for investment. “We are at war, and our companies have dramatically boosted their profitability by proving their products in combat,” he said. “Visitors will be astonished by our missiles, land-based equipment, and other defence technologies. I invite you to invest in Ukraine’s advanced weapons technology.”
The exhibition highlighted Ukraine’s ability to rapidly develop and deploy low-cost, high-impact solutions—a critical factor in modern warfare. One standout example was an AI-equipped UAV system capable of maintaining flight and capturing aerial imagery even under electronic jamming. A company representative explained how the technology ensures operational continuity in contested environments, drawing keen interest from potential investors.
A U.S. investor attending the event expressed surprise at the speed and cost-efficiency of Ukrainian defence innovations. “Ukrainian firms are making low-cost products with a fast innovation cycle, which are necessary factors to win in today’s battles,” the investor said. “Ukraine is leading the world in innovation.”
This event marks a pivotal moment for Ukraine’s defence industry, demonstrating its capacity to compete on the global stage. As the war continues, the country’s ability to innovate under pressure has positioned it as a key player in next-generation military technology. For foreign investors, the exhibition offered a rare glimpse into a defence sector that is not only surviving but thriving amid conflict.
The long-term implications of this event extend beyond immediate investment opportunities. It signals a shift in global defence procurement, where battlefield-proven, rapidly adaptable technologies are gaining precedence. As Ukraine continues to refine its defence capabilities, it may well redefine the standards of modern warfare—proving that necessity, indeed, is the mother of invention.