Future EU Defense Commissioner Stresses Importance of Integrating Ukraine’s Defense Industry into EU

Andrius Kubilius, nominated for the position of European Commissioner for Defense, emphasized the necessity of integrating Ukraine’s defense industry into the European defense sector.

In an interview with Ukrinform, he stated that the experience of European countries making direct investments in Ukraine’s military production should be leveraged to provide essential military assistance and expedite this integration.

Kubilius will be responsible for implementing the European Defense Industrial Program, which is currently under review by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. He noted that this initiative is not only about advancing the European defense industry and creating new tools but also about accelerating the integration of Ukraine’s defense capabilities into the European framework.

“This approach is mutually beneficial, allowing member states to spend allocated military aid directly within Ukraine,” he stated, highlighting the economic advantages for both parties involved.

He pointed to Denmark as a positive example, as the country has begun directly investing in defense production at Ukrainian enterprises. “Denmark has set a strong precedent that other nations are likely to follow. This model allows us to procure defense equipment of similar quality at lower costs,” he added.

Kubilius acknowledged that Ukraine’s defense industry possesses significant achievements, particularly in modern military technologies such as drone production and electronic warfare systems, which are informed by real combat experience. He stressed the importance of these advancements being recognized by European partners.

Additionally, Kubilius addressed the fragmentation within the European defense sector, which he believes hampers the EU’s capacity for self-defense. “Fragmentation is a reality we must overcome. While EU agreements permit member states to adopt national approaches to their industries, this ultimately weakens the EU as a whole. The current geopolitical security crisis underscores the necessity for us to act collectively in our defense sector,” he asserted.

He concluded that a unified approach could provide the European defense industry with long-term contracts through collaborative defense procurement, thereby increasing demand for military equipment and reducing costs for national budgets.