The current geopolitical environment emphasizes the importance of strengthening transatlantic defense and industrial cooperation. Collaboration between countries on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean is key to ensuring a stable security environment in the face of growing global challenges. Deepening partnerships in defense technology and production not only strengthens defense capabilities but also facilitates the exchange of advanced technologies and experience, which helps improve the efficiency of production processes and strengthens strategic positions in the global defense market.
In particular, the relevance of Ukraine's experience in applying state-of-the-art technologies in the defense sector is currently crucial worldwide—not only in terms of developing and implementing innovations but also in organizing transparent procurement during times of geopolitical challenges.
As part of the annual strategic forum AUSA 2024 in Washington, DroneUA attended a closed panel discussion titled “Strengthening Transatlantic Defence and Industrial Cooperation: Focus on the Baltics”, where it presented its Ukrainian-American business and expertise. The event, which took place on 16 October at the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Washington, D.C., brought together about 100 key figures from the defence and industrial sectors from the U.S. and Europe. Together, the experts discussed strengthening defence cooperation with a special focus on the Baltic region and explored the role of new technologies in the security sector.
The discussion started with a welcome speech by Ms. Monika Koroliovienė, Vice-Minister of National Defence of Lithuania. Keynote speakers included Maryna Bezrukova, Director of the Defence Procurement Agency of Ukraine; Magnus-Waldemar Saar, Director General of the Estonian Defence Investment Centre; Laurinas Šatas, CEO of Aktyvus Photonics; and Jennifer Stewart, Executive Vice President for Strategy and Policy at the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA). The discussion was moderated by Debra Kagan, Senior Advisor at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center.
The closed panel discussion concluded with a networking event where the panellists discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation between the defence sectors of the United States and the Baltic States. The event once again highlighted the importance of building strong defence partnerships and the role of transatlantic cooperation in promoting security and innovation in the defence industry.
DroneUA would like to thank the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Washington, D.C., as well as the organizers of AUSA 2024 for creating an expert platform for researching critical topics of strategic importance to the entire world.
