Future Forces Forum 2026: International Partnerships and Legal Mechanisms for the Development of Defense Technologies
On October 21–23, Prague hosted the Future Forces Exhibition & Forum 2026 —one of the largest international forums for the defense and security industries. The event brought together representatives from more than 70 countries. According to the organizers, more than 9,000 trade visitors, over 1,000 official delegates, and representatives of government institutions were expected to attend the forum. More than 500 companies from 38 countries showcased their technologies and solutions.
For the first time at the forum, a joint booth was set up by Ukrainian lobbyists and attorneys, dedicated to providing legal support for the defense sector, fostering international cooperation, and establishing transparent and lawful mechanisms to support the defense industry.
Oleksandr Chernykh, together with Yaroslav Kuts, representatives of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association (UNLA) and the Diplomatic Legal Hub, and attorney Olena Maksymenko held dozens of meetings with representatives of Ukrainian, British, Czech, American, and other European defense companies.
International Cooperation and Joint Defense Manufacturing
The main topics of the talks were the development of cooperation between Ukrainian and foreign defense manufacturers, the establishment of joint production facilities in Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and other European countries, the attraction of investment, and technology transfer.
Particular attention was paid to the legal structuring of international projects, the improvement of regulatory procedures, the removal of bureaucratic obstacles, and the creation of favorable conditions for the development of defense technologies. An important component of the discussions was legal support for international contracts, export controls, licensing, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
The participation of representatives from UNLA and the Diplomatic Legal Hub was aimed at establishing practical cooperation between the defense industry and international partners, as well as identifying legal mechanisms that will help turn agreements into concrete projects.
The Future of Defense and Civil Security
Conference sessions dedicated to the future of defense and civil security were a key part of the forum. Among the high-ranking officials featured in the program were Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic, and Jaromír Zuna, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic.
Team representatives also participated in the “Future of Civil Security” conference. Among its participants and speakers were Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defense and Space; Vasyl Zvarych, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Czech Republic; and international experts in the field of security and defense.
The discussions highlighted the importance of international coordination, technological partnerships, and effective mechanisms for cooperation between government institutions and the private sector.
Legal Mechanisms as a Tool for the Development of the Defense Industry
One of the main takeaways from the meetings was the high level of interest among international partners in collaborating with Ukrainian manufacturers. At the same time, defense companies in various countries face common challenges: time constraints, technological difficulties, production capacity, and bureaucratic procedures.
In today’s environment, it is not enough to develop effective defense technology. It is also necessary to ensure its lawful financing, scaling up of production, international transfer, certification, and delivery to the customer.
That is precisely why legal expertise and professional representation of business interests are becoming important tools for the development of the defense sector. The role of attorneys and professional lobbyists is to help companies find lawful solutions, establish transparent interactions with government institutions, and work to remove regulatory barriers.
This approach formed the basis of the initiative presented at the forum—a combination of legal support, professional lobbying, and international cooperation to support defense technologies.
The Ukrainian defense sector is part of the European defense industry
A significant portion of the discussions at the forum focused on potential projects and specific areas of cooperation, the details of which have not yet been disclosed. At the same time, international partners’ interest in cooperating with Ukrainian manufacturers creates opportunities for developing joint production ventures, attracting investment, and implementing technology projects.
The next step is to turn this interest into long-term partnerships, production projects, and tangible results.
The integration of Ukraine’s defense sector into the European defense industry requires not only technological solutions and investments, but also an appropriate legal and institutional framework. Establishing such mechanisms is an important prerequisite for developing international cooperation and strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
