Defense industry development, Capability Coalition efforts, and assistance to Ukraine: top agenda at a security forum held in Singapore

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksandr Kozenko held a series of meetings with international partners during the Shangri-La Dialogue, a security forum held in Singapore.

Oleksandr Kozenko held talks with the Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence of Poland, Paweł Zalewski; the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence of Singapore, Melvyn Ong; the Minister of Defence of New Zealand, Judith Collins; the Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines, Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr.; and the Secretary of the Department of Defence of Australia, Greg Moriarty. The Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine also met with representatives of leading international defense companies.

The war waged by russia against Ukraine carries significant implications for global security, including in the Indo-Pacific region. Therefore, it is essential to unite in order to guarantee lasting peace in Europe, Asia, and globally. Supporting Ukraine means supporting the international order,” Oleksandr Kozenko emphasized to partners.

One of the main topics at all meetings was the development of Ukraine’s defense industry and cooperation with global leaders in the defense sector. Oleksandr Kozenko highlighted that Ukraine’s defense industry has unique experience in scaling up, which could be valuable for international defense holdings. He also proposed to explore the possibility of establishing joint ventures with Ukrainian companies.

The meetings with international partners also addressed Ukraine’s critical needs for protecting its population and infrastructure, specifically air defense systems of various ranges and their associated missiles. The talks with Polish counterparts centered on enhancing aviation capabilities and the requirement for heavy armored vehicles. At the meeting with the Australian delegation, the Ukrainian side highlighted the effectiveness of Bushmaster armored vehicles and emphasized their necessity on the battlefield.

“The Ukrainian experience with foreign weapon systems provides valuable insights into their effective use. “The battlefield is the best testing ground; by supporting Ukraine, you are validating your weapons and equipment under real combat conditions,” Oleksandr Kozenko emphasized.

He also invited countries not yet involved in the Capability Coalitions to engage in a format that aligns with their preferences. According to him, the Demining Capability Coalition and the IT Coalition provide accessible pathways for new participants to join collective efforts.

As a result of the meetings, international partners reaffirmed their understanding of the importance of cooperation, irrespective of geographical location, and its significance for the global security architecture. Representatives from Asia and Oceania assured their support for Ukraine and committed to strengthening cooperation.