4th UK-UA Defence Tech Forum

Overview

James Westlake, Head of Molfar’s UK Office, spoke during the Second Session, focused on Financing and Investment in Ukraine’s Infrastructure:
«Many of the current challenges in infrastructure development aren’t about engineering, they’re about finding trustworthy partners, managing operational and political risks. I believe this perspective will complement the insights shared by the engineering experts. At Molfar Intelligence Firm, we know that smart decisions and reliable information are key to safe, transparent and successful investment, especially in the country affected by war».
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A one-day forum took place on 18 November in London, the 4th UK-UA Defence Tech Forum, brought together senior government officials, defence tech companies, and investors from the UK and Ukraine. It explored how the war in Ukraine had reshaped modern warfare and defence-industry innovation, spotlighting Ukrainian and international companies working in UAVs, EW systems, robotics, and dual-use tech. The event aimed to foster deep collaboration, rapid scaling of tech production and investment, and a strengthened UK-Ukraine defence-industrial partnership.

Organisers

1. Organiser: The Strategy Council — the organisation that cultivates and develops knowledge and networking across business communities, primarily in the emerging European economies. It organises industry‐leading conferences and networking events for business sectors such as energy, finance, infrastructure, agribusiness, telecoms, etc, particularly focusing on emerging markets (e.g., Ukraine) and linking those markets with decision-makers.
2. Co-organiser: Kinstellar — a leading independent law firm specialising in Central and Eastern Europe, Southeast Europe and Central Asia, with more than 300 lawyers across 12 jurisdictions.
3. Partner: techUK — a leading technology trade association, which brings together companies, organisations and stakeholders across the tech sector to drive innovation, shape policy, and realise the positive outcomes of digital technology for society, the economy and the environment.
4. Official Support: Embassy of Ukraine in the UK.

Discussed topics

1. Private Investment in Defence Innovation as a Vital Strategic Pillar of International Security — impact of UK-Ukraine drone tech agreement; UK Strategic Defence Review; Ukraine manufacturing/export capacity; UK Defence Innovation role.
2. Growth of Defence Tech Cooperation between Ukraine, UK and International Companies — JVs, acquisitions, Ukrainian «Defence City» initiative; switching to Ukrainian/European hardware.
3. Financing Scalability and Innovation — Role of VC and mainstream financial institutions in defence tech ecosystem (Ukraine & international) — dual‐use platform financing etc.
   
4. Pitch Session — Showcasing Defence Tech and Dual-Use Companies from Ukraine, priorities such as interceptor drones, long-range missiles, smart air defence, autonomous drones, space-based comms/ISR, cyber/network attacks, etc.

Guests:

Speakers:

1. Perry Boyle, Co-Founder & CEO, MITS Capital
2. Oleksandr Yakovenko, CEO, TAF Industries
3. Andrii Ziuz, Director, Skyeton Prevail Solutions
4. Serhii Kupriienko, CEO & Founder Swarmer
5. Fred Thomas MP, Member of the Defence Committee,

as well as UK parliamentaries and other officials including Ukrainian defence-tech entrepreneurs, UK & Ukrainian investors, VCs, and government officials.

Timeline:

08:30 AM: Registration & morning refreshments
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09:30 AM: Session 1 begins
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11:00 AM:  Morning refreshments
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11:30 am: Session 2 begins
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01:00 PM: Lunch
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02:00 PM: Session 3 begins
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03:30 PM: Afternoon refreshments
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04:00 PM: Session 4 (Pitch Session) begins