"Defence exports are not about selling 'hardware', which remains vital for the frontline, but primarily about exporting intellectual products, technologies, and services. Ukraine's unique asset is its systematised combat experience, which is critically valuable to our partners," noted Oleksandra Azarkhina, speaking at Navy Tech and Seabed Defence 2026 conference in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Exports must become a tool for building resilient partnerships that combine Ukrainian operational experience with European technological capabilities. "Reducing bureaucracy and providing market incentives for innovation must be balanced with robust mechanisms for protecting sensitive technologies and intellectual property," Oleksandra added.
Read the ESCU research "EU/NATO Technology and IP Management Models for Ukraine" here.
