EUDIO at a glance
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.
The EU’s commitment to Ukraine’s security and sovereignty is further underscored by the Joint Security Commitments signed on 27 June 2024. This initiative reflects the EU’s dedication to assisting Ukraine in its path towards EU membership and ensuring robust defence cooperation.
The European Defence Innovation Office stands as a testament to the EU's unwavering support for Ukraine and its commitment to strengthening the defence capabilities of both partners.
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 opportunities
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.
Role of EUDIO
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.
Organisation of the EU Defence Innovation Office
EUDIO marks an important milestone in advancing the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS), adopted in March 2024.
Hosted by the European Union Delegation to Ukraine and manned by EC Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space and the European External Action Service, the new office aims to foster cross-border cooperation between the Ukrainian Defence Technological and Industrial Base (DTIB) and its European counterpart, further solidifying EU-Ukraine defence ties.
The EU Defence Innovation Office commenced operations in Kyiv in early September 2024. In the context of her 8th visit to Kyiv, Commission President von der Leyen, in presence of Director-General Timo Pesonen, formally inaugurated the EU Defence Innovation Office (EUDIO) in Ukraine on the 20th of September 2024.
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.
