Kyiv to host DEF.Talks on 27 November with NATO military attachés in attendance

On 27 November, a new event in the DEF.Talks series — professional discussions on defence tech and partnerships — will take place in Kyiv. This time, the event will bring together NATO military attachés and experts for a meeting titled Collaboration is Key: Innovation Networks for a Stronger Continent.

During the event, participants in two discussion panels will explore how cooperation between countries, industries, and technology leaders can transform Europe’s defence landscape. The focus will be on transitioning from aid to co-creation: building innovation networks, fostering cooperation among government, industry, and communities, and integrating frontline experience into relevant standards.

The event is organised by BazaIT Defense, UADUT Cluster and UNBAI. Defender Media is the media partner. Among the invited guests are military attachés from NATO embassies, as well as Ukrainian and international defence tech experts. The event will be held in English. Tickets are available at the link.

The discussion panels will be moderated by Oksana Horbunova, COO of BazaIT and CEO of BazaIT Defense. “Ukraine has proved it can be not only a stronghold, but a driver of defence innovation. It is time to scale this capability through co-production and stable international partnership networks,” she says.

Key themes of DEF.Talks

• Beyond aid: transitioning from supply to strategic co-production — from R&D and pilot projects to joint manufacturing in Ukraine.
• Lessons from the field: how Ukrainian frontline innovation is reshaping NATO standards and partner strategies.
• Building resilience through collaboration: creating innovation networks that strengthen collective security and Europe’s technological sovereignty.

Programme

17:00 — Participant registration

17:40 — Panel 1: Beyond Aid — Strategic partnership in defence manufacturing

• How to move from supply to co-creation: from R&D and pilots to joint assembly lines.
• Co-production models in Ukraine: challenges and legal frameworks.
• Localisation: are allies ready to shift production?
• Investment in defence startups and the ecosystem.
• Key question: “Does your country see the potential for localising defence-tech production in Ukraine?”

18:40 — Panel 2: Lessons from the Field — What has Ukraine already given to the world’s armies?

• Ukraine as the testbed of future warfare: drones, tactical coordination, low-cost innovation.
• Technologies already adopted: UAVs, communications, UAV centres.
• How allies’ approaches to training and operations are changing.
• Shaping future training programmes.
• Key question: “What are NATO countries already learning from us today?”