Today, on Ukrainian Armed Forces Day, the United States government hosted the first day of the U.S.-Ukraine Defense Industrial Base Conference at the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. The conference convened around 350 U.S., Ukrainian, and European industry and government representatives to focus on significantly increasing weapons production to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom against Russian aggression, and strengthen Ukraine’s long term self-defense.

The U.S. and Ukrainian governments together seek to advance a robust and self-reliant Ukrainian defense industrial base that captures Ukraine’s innovative culture, provides materiel for urgent military needs, and contributes to Ukraine’s long-term security and economic success. Initial conference deliverables focused on first steps: institutionalizing relationships, processes, and dialogue between industry and government partners.

• MSI Embedded Advisor: Working with Congress, the Department of State plans to send an advisor to the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine to support and accelerate Ukraine’s transition to an interoperable military force, combat corruption, and attract foreign investment in critical industries.
   
• Interagency “Ukraine Deal Team”: The U.S. has established an interagency team, consisting of representatives from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce, that will support industry, Ukrainian, and other partners who seek guidance on potential deals, and export requirements for Ukraine’s defense industry.  The interagency team will respond to case-specific questions via:[email protected]
   
• Co-production and Technical Data Exchange: The Department of Defense, Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, and Ministry for Strategic Industries of Ukraine signed a Statement of Intent on Co-production and Technical Data Exchange, which will work to address the urgent operational needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including in the areas of air defense systems, repair and sustainment, and production of critical munitions. The Statement of Intent increases cooperation between the United States and Ukraine and will facilitate the quicker movement of investment deals more quickly through systems.
   
• Technical Data Package. The Department of Defense and industry partners provided Ukraine with technical data to start local production of some of the FrankenSAM projects that seek to enable Ukraine’s legacy air defense systems by integrating certain Western munitions. Parallel production of these systems in Ukraine and the United States will allow for faster fielding and enable Ukraine to contribute significantly to the sustainment of its air defense systems.

These initial deliverables will not only expand U.S.-Ukraine cooperation and provide Ukraine with the capabilities it needs to be successful on the battlefield in the short-term, but will support Ukraine’s long-term economic recovery and defense.