Some 165 defense companies from 26 countries have already confirmed their participation in the first defense industry forum, which is scheduled to be held in Kyiv in the fall, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

“Some 165 defense companies from 26 nations have already confirmed their attendance at our Defense Industries Forum. It will boost co-production and cooperation to strengthen Ukraine and our partners. Together with Alexander Kamyshin and Rustem Umerov, we are working to make DFNC1 a success,” Kuleba said on X (Twitter).

On August 2, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the holding of the first defense industries forum in Ukraine in the fall of 2023.

Later, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said that the purpose of the forum is to unite Ukrainian and foreign manufacturers for long-term and systematic strengthening of Ukraine's defense capability, technology exchange, establishing joint production, system maintenance and repair of equipment, strengthening the defense potential of both Ukraine and partners based on technologies and weapons of NATO samples.

The first Defense Industries Forum will become a platform where the world's largest arms manufacturers, together with the military and political leadership of Ukraine and partner countries, will work together to develop new alliances and strategies to support international security, and start joint projects.

On August 16, Kuleba, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov and Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin signed a joint letter to partner countries and foreign companies inviting them to participate in the Defense industries forum.