April 2025 – Following on the success of our two previous defence-tech events, Kinstellar and the Strategy Council, in partnership with the Embassy of Ukraine in the UK, were honoured to deliver the 3rd Defence Tech Forum in London on 25 April 25 at the Royal United Services Institute. The theme of the gathering was Ukrainian Technology for a New European Army: Galvanizing the private sector to meet UK-European security demands.
The continued relevance of these events was underscored by His Excellency Ambassador Valeriy Zaluzhniy, former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Ambassador Zaluzhniy opened the forum by summarising the changes to modern warfare and emphasising Ukraine’s position as the epicentre of real-time battlefield innovation. He expressed Ukraine’s gratitude for the leading role played by the United Kingdom in supporting Ukraine’s innovation efforts.
The significance of the Ambassador’s remarks was underscored by the high-level participation of senior UK government officials. We were honoured to have Andy Start, UK National Armaments Director, as our keynote speaker; along with Fred Thomas, MP; the Hon. Alex Sobel, MP, UK Trade Envoy to Ukraine; Col. Oliver Todd RM, AH Procure, TF Kindred; and Re Hobley, Deputy Director, Defence & Security Exports, Department for Business and Trade. Insightful Ukrainian government and military perspectives were provided by Alex Bornyakov, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Olga Khoroshylova, Advisor to the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, and Major Yevhen Kravtsov, Commander of the 69th Special Centre for Electronic Warfare Support, Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Denys Demko, First Secretary (Economic) from the Ukrainian Embassy. Joining in the discussions were Air Marshal Andrew Turner (ret.), Chief Executive Officer, Space4Sight; Štefan Füle, Co-owner, UAC and former EU Commissioner for Enlargement & European Neighbourhood Policy; Kateryna Mykhalko, Executive Director, Tech Force in UA; Elliott Murphy, International Business Development Advisor, ADS Group; and Tim Mak, Editor of Counteroffensive.Pro.
An all-time high of twenty-eight leading companies from Ukraine, the UK, Europe and the US took part. Ukrainian firms Deviro, TAF Drones, Swarmer, Destinus, Kvertus, and Sigma Software, and renowned international tech companies Tekever, Helsing, Auterion, Quantum Systems, Shield AI, Hyluss Systems, Delian AI, Beetroot and Stridar showcased advances made over the course of the past year to cutting edge products in response to the demands of the battlefield. The highlight of the event was the pitch session, where a dynamic group of Ukrainian defence tech companies - Anvarix, NORDA Dynamics, TENCORE, Sine Engineering, FoxFour, Frontline, Falcons, LetsData, Huless, and FarSight Vision - demonstrated evolving innovations ranging from AI-guided drone systems and battlefield communications, to situational awareness platforms and autonomous targeting technologies, and described their collaboration with UK firms.
Bridging the gap between early-stage innovations and long-term investment, leading venture capital firms and other investors, including IQT International, Superangel, the NATO Innovation Fund, MITS Capital, and UAC, discussed strategies needed to scale Ukraine’s defence tech solutions for modern security challenges.
Forum co-organiser, Daniel Bilak, Partner at Kinstellar Ukraine, and volunteer in Ukraine’s Territorial Defence Forces, commented:
The key takeaway here is that UK and Ukrainian private sector miltech companies, supported by the UK and Ukrainian governments, have moved the dial in defence innovation and scaleable production to the front lines at pace. Collaboration of this sort brings us closer to victory.
For additional information, please contact:
Daniel Bilak: Daniel.Bilak@kinstellar.com
About Kinstellar
Kinstellar is Ukraine’s and the region’s leading defence sector law firm. We are an integral part of the Ukrainian military technology and manufacturing ecosystem, helping our global and SME clients to navigate the shoals of Ukraine’s regulatory and government decision-making processes. In addition to assisting KNDS, our recent mandates include advising Rheinmetall Land Systeme GmbH, BAE Systems, and other global clients in connection with their projects in Ukraine, as well as assisting smaller miltech companies, including drone manufacturers, with market entry and co-venturing opportunities.
