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8 September · IET Savoy Place, London

Defence Innovation Forum

Where battlefield experience meets industry — how Ukraine became the world's leading laboratory for defence innovation, and how Europe scales it.

Defence Innovation Forum at the Ukraine Freedom Summit

The sessions

8 sessions on the agenda.

1
Special address

Why We Must Win in Ukraine

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on why victory in Ukraine is critical for global security, and Ukraine's right to strike Russian military bases.

Boris Johnson
2
Panel

The Arsenal of Democracy

Accelerating defence-industrial cooperation between Europe and Ukraine through battlefield experience and technology transfer.

Sergii Goncharov (NAUDI)Halyna Yanchenko (MP)Jack Lopresti (International Legion)
3
Panel

Scaling Ukraine's Defence Production

From battlefield innovation to industrial scale — resilient manufacturing networks in contested environments.

Vladislav Belbas (Ukrainian Armor)Yuliy Gere (Former Deputy Defence Minister)
4
Special address

Ukraine & the Future of War

Gen. H.R. McMaster on how Ukraine is reshaping modern warfare doctrine — and the axis of aggressors reshaping global security.

Gen. H.R. McMaster
5
Panel

The Deep Battle

Strategic strike operations and deep-battle capabilities with Ukrainian commanders.

Gen. H.R. McMasterColonel Yevhen (SBU-A)Sir Nick Borton
6
Panel

Forging the Arsenal

Ukraine's defence-innovation revolution — from garage workshops to industrial-scale production.

Sergey Kuzyara (48th Special Forces)Iryna Zhluktenko (Dzyga's Paw)Maria Lemberg (Shpyg)
7
Panel

The Asymmetric Edge

Intelligence, special operations, and cyber warfare — how smaller nations defeat larger adversaries.

Colonel Andrii (SBU-A Deputy Commander)Ilona Khmelova (Economic Security Council)
8
Panel

The Unmanned Battlefield

Revolutionary drone warfare, with actual pilots from Ukraine's frontlines.

Dmytro Zhluktenko (Drone Pilot, AFU)Lieutenant Vladyslav (UKRSOF)Rob Lee

Explore the programme

The other forums.

The people behind the programme.

The veterans who spoke in London carry the truths that change hearts and minds. Their stories are why the Summit exists.