BRUSSELS, May 12 – European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius is convinced that the EU will benefit more from the integration of the defence-industrial complexes of Ukraine and the countries of the European Union.

He expressed this opinion in Brussels on Monday as part of the Second Ukraine-EU Defense Industry Forum. “I often ask the rhetorical question: who is integrating with who? Ukraine can benefit from EU production capacity and financial resources. And state of the art technologies: Armored platforms, fighter jets, air defence batteries. But Ukraine's industry is fast. Is modern. Is able to produce unique products,” the European Commissioner stated.

Kubilius stated that “that is why the EU will also benefit massively. First from lower production costs. Ukraine produces excellent modern weapons. Quickly, at half the price they cost here. So, for EU Member States it's two, for the price of one.”

Second, the European Commissioner stressed, the EU “can learn from Ukraine's surge in defence industry. A real Big Bang from 1 billion euro production capacity in 2022 – to 35 billion euro production capacity last year.” A Big Bang of 35 times!!! And third, we can learn from Ukraine's innovative power. The Ukrainian defence industry is young, dynamic, and the most innovative in Europe. Maybe even in the world. And the successes of the Ukrainian defence industry are spectacular,” Kubilius explained.

Kubilius also said that, according to Ukrainian military statistics, “they hit more than 80% of frontline targets with drones.” Drones on both sides of the front line have created a 10 kilometre wide “death valley”, where nobody is able to move. Even with modern tanks. That is what modern warfare looks like. That is how the wars of tomorrow will be fought. And that experience among all of us only Ukrainians have.”
We need to understand that in today's world there are two powerful military forces, with the battle tested capabilities to fight a modern war of drones. One ‘Army of drones’ is defending Ukraine and at the same time – us. Another ‘Army of drones,’ which belongs to the aggressor, is preparing itself for aggression against an EU or NATO member state. Let's keep that in mind when we are discussing the need to integrate the Ukrainian defence industry with the European defence industry. Who is going to integrate with who? Who needs that integration more: Ukraine or Europe? My answer - Europe!” Kubilius explained his vision of the development of events. (om/ez)