The days of viewing Ukraine’s tech sector through the lens of crisis management are over. As of 2026, the country has transitioned from a testing ground into Europe’s primary R&D lab for high-intensity warfare. While Ukrainian instructors are already training NATO personnel in advanced drone tactics, the industrial sector is codifying this expertise through a new wave of joint ventures.
At the Ukraine Business Summit, the focus was clear: European sovereignty now depends on Ukrainian battlefield-proven hardware.
High-Orbit and Ground-Level Alliances
The summit saw the formalization of two critical industrial partnerships that merge European capital with Ukrainian frontline engineering:
TENCORE & Shark Robotics (France): This venture unites the French leader in terrestrial robotics with Ukraine’s TENCORE. The goal is the mass production of autonomous unmanned vehicles that have already been refined by years of active combat.
STETMAN & GomSpace (Denmark): A deep-tech fusion between the Danish nanosatellite specialist and Ukrainian STETMAN. Together, they are scaling the production of satellite terminals – a vital component for autonomous communications in contested environments.
Marta Kos, EU Commissioner for Enlargement, emphasized that these are not charitable acts, but the “foundation for more European sovereignty in critical technology sectors”.
The €5.4 Billion Dual-Use Market
The European Union is no longer just funding reconstruction; it is investing in a dual-use powerhouse. The Ukraine Investment Framework has shifted its weight toward industries that dominate both civilian and military spheres: drone swarms, precision navigation, and aerospace.
“Dual-use holds enormous business opportunities. This sector is estimated to be worth €5.4 billion and comprises approximately 3,400 companies active in Ukraine”, stated Kos. “Ukrainians are increasingly building an ‘Arsenal of Democracy’. Ukraine is becoming an indispensable partner in Europe’s efforts to rebuild our defence industries and armed forces”.
With over 200 investment proposals currently under review, the EU is moving aggressively to secure a spot in Ukraine’s burgeoning defense supply chain.
Capital Protection: €1 Billion in Hard Guarantees
To facilitate this industrial merger, the EU is deploying heavy-duty financial tools to neutralize investment risks:
€363 Million (EBRD): A package for small businesses that includes a first-of-its-kind war damage insurance policy. The EU is effectively underwriting the physical safety of these investments.
€600 Million (EIB): Capital injections for transport and energy networks—the literal arteries of this new industrial alliance.
€95 Million (Slovak Eximbanka): Targeted support for Ukraine’s electricity grid, ensuring the manufacturing lines keep moving.
“Varyty Borshch Razom”: The Reality of Co-Engineering
The integration is moving beyond rhetoric. By adopting EU standards and passing transparent procurement laws, Ukraine is making it easy for Western VCs to treat Kyiv as they would Warsaw or Prague – only with a significantly higher ROI potential.
In her closing remarks, Kos used a culinary metaphor to describe the complexity of this shared industrial architecture:
“Last year, I spoke about a Ukrainian expression: varyty borshch razom – to cook borscht together. It means building something complicated together… And like any good borscht, we will be stronger because we bring together different ingredients and different experiences”.
The takeaway for the global tech community is clear: Ukraine is no longer just holding the line. It is building the future of European security, and the smart money is already moving into position.
Source: Speech of Commissioner Marta Kos at the 2026 Ukraine Business Summit
