Paris, July 23, 2025 - The "France-Ukraine Defense Innovation Forum", held in Kyiv from July 16 to 18, 2025, marks a new stage in the structuring of a sustainable Franco-Ukrainian defense industrial partnership. Organized by GICAT, in collaboration with the French Embassy in Ukraine, the Defense Innovation Agency (AID), the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Embassy in France, the event confirmed the solidity of a long-term partnership, with over 300 participants and 200 business meetings.
A structuring dynamic launched in 2023
The forum is part of a global support strategy implemented by GICAT over the past three years:
- In September 2023, a first forum in Kyiv will bring together 30 French companies.
- In June 2024, the Eurosatory trade show will provide an opportunity for decisive bilateral meetings.
- In October 2024, GICAT opened a permanent office in Kyiv, the only European trade association in the defense sector to do so.
- In March 2025, a working group on mine clearance won three calls for projects, benefiting 5 French companies, for a total of 45 million euros under the Ukraine fund.
- The scope of the July 2025 forum was unprecedented: over 300 participants helped to structure concrete cooperative ventures.
Technological cooperation to adapt to new threats
The Kyiv forum confirms the determination of French defense and security manufacturers such as Arquus, Geomines, HGH, Metravib Defence, Novakamp and Texelis to forge technological partnerships with their Ukrainian counterparts, on a win/win basis. The aim is not simply to export technologies, but to adapt, co-develop and innovate together, as closely as possible to the needs of the front line. Present in Kyiv, these companies thus conveyed the image of a French industry that is both high-performance and adaptable.
French manufacturers are constantly seeking feedback to improve the performance of their solutions and meet the demands of high-intensity combat. The Russo-Ukrainian conflict has enabled them to test and optimize their technologies, giving them concrete operational legitimacy - combat proven - particularly in the face of evolving threats.
To illustrate this ability to rapidly transform RETEX into sustainable technological innovation, French companies are currently developing proven navigation systems resistant to Russian jamming to counter the ever-increasing speed of Shahed drones.
A fast-growing Ukrainian ecosystem
In the space of three years, Ukrainian industrialists have made remarkable progress in terms of technology. They now have the capacity to design innovative, robust, efficient and economically viable solutions, often more competitive than Western standards in certain segments. They are now seeking to move upmarket technologically, through structuring partnerships with French manufacturers. Several cooperation agreements were signed during the forum.
GICAT's strategic role
In addition to putting people in touch with each other, GICAT plays a key role as a strategic facilitator, providing its members with a clear understanding of the Ukrainian market: how to set up operations, selecting partners, legal risks and industrial sovereignty issues.
This hands-on immersion in the Ukrainian context also enabled French manufacturers to gauge the pace of local development: "Three days' work in Ukraine is equivalent to a month in France. This agility is a major lever for rapid innovation.
Ramping up for Eurosatory 2026
The next highlight of this cooperation will be Eurosatory 2026, with a reinforced Ukrainian presence and a national stand of over 500 m². This event will mark a new step forward in the consolidation of Franco-Ukrainian relations around a shared vision of defense, innovation and sovereignty.
Press contact:
Communications Director - GICAT :
Delphine Sampic
delphine.sampic@gicat.fr
Assistant :
Amélie Sescousse
amelie.sescousse@gicat.fr
