On 1–2 June, NATO, together with the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence and the Ukrainian government’s defence innovation platform Brave1, will host the second NATO-Ukraine Defence Innovators Forum in Vilnius.
The forum will provide representatives from NATO countries and Ukraine with practical opportunities to cooperate with companies, investors, government officials and military personnel actively involved in deploying technologies in Ukraine. More than 400 participants are expected to attend the two-day event.
The forum will be opened by Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska and Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defence Sergiy Boyev. The event will also bring together European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, senior NATO and Ukrainian officials, military representatives, innovation developers, defence technology experts and investors. Welcome remarks will also be delivered by Prime Minister of Lithuania Inga Ruginienė and Prime Minister of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko.
“The war in Ukraine is fundamentally changing our approach to defence, technology and innovation. Today, we clearly see that modern technologies, speed and the ability to adapt rapidly are becoming just as important as traditional military capabilities. Ukraine is currently leading innovation on the battlefield, and NATO and Allies must absorb these lessons as quickly as possible, strengthen cooperation and jointly develop solutions that enhance the security of the entire Alliance,” said Lithuanian Minister of National Defence R. Kaunas.
During the event, Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence and Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence are also expected to sign a Letter of Intent on the implementation of the joint defence innovation initiative “BRAVE Lithuania”.
The Defence Innovators Forum in Vilnius will address models for strengthening Ukraine’s defence, international support mechanisms, unmanned aerial systems and air defence solutions, as well as the use of artificial intelligence in decision-making, investment opportunities and co-production initiatives between Ukrainian and NATO companies. Discussions will primarily focus on the challenges Ukraine faces in rapidly developing, manufacturing and employing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS capabilities.
The event will also feature the presentation of NATO’s innovation cooperation programme “UNITE – Brave NATO”, aimed at accelerating the deployment of technological solutions for Ukraine’s defence needs and strengthening interoperability with NATO.
The forum is expected to serve as an important platform not only for sharing experience, but also for developing practical solutions to accelerate innovation, strengthen Ukraine’s defence industry and promote joint NATO-Ukraine projects that enable faster responses to contemporary security challenges. An exhibition of products developed by Brave1 companies will also be showcased during the event.
