Following the France–Ukraine Forum, Ukrainian defense companies gained access to practical tools for entering the EU market. The event was attended by Mykhailo Ganchuk, CEO of Promavtomatyka Group.
The Brave France program was officially launched, establishing a €20 million joint fund to support defense R&D projects. At the same time, EU funding opportunities for manufacturing projects are now available, with application deadlines running from late 2026 into early 2027. One key requirement remains: having a partner from the European Union.
Finding such a partner has now become significantly easier. Drone Pact, a French industry network with more than 180 members, enables companies to submit a description of their solution and gain visibility across the entire network without intermediaries.
Meanwhile, the Build with Ukraine model offers a deeper level of cooperation: a joint venture structure in which manufacturing is located within the EU, while engineering expertise and key components remain in Ukraine. This is not a one-time sale but a genuine pathway into European supply chains.
French industry representatives were direct in their assessment — UAV production in the EU is measured in hundreds of units per year, while in Ukraine it is measured in hundreds per day. Developing a new system in Europe typically takes three years; in Ukraine, it can take only a matter of months. This difference has opened the door to meaningful industrial partnerships.





