DeltaQuad co-organises inaugural European Defence Innovation Forum in The Hague

25 September 2025, World Forum The Hague - A working forum to fast-track co-production, certification and funded pilots, with senior Dutch and Ukrainian leadership and 50+ frontline innovators.

The European Defence Innovation Forum (EDIF) will bring together senior government officials, investors, major European and Ukrainian defence companies, research institutions and early-stage innovators. Their shared goal: to accelerate co-production, operational integration and industrial cooperation. EDIF is structured around pre-booked B2B matchmaking, live demonstrations and practical clinics to convert frontline innovation into European production.

As co-organiser, DeltaQuad is proud to help launch a platform that strengthens Europe’s strategic autonomy by integrating Ukraine’s battlefield-proven technologies into the European defence industry. EDIF shows how Ukraine’s speed of innovation can become a force multiplier for Europe.

Dutch and Ukrainian leaders join forces

Speakers include H.E. Mr. Ruben Brekelmans, Minister of Defence of the Netherlands, Mr. Jan Christiaan Dicke, Commissioner for Military Production at the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands and Mr. Hans Huigen, Director of the Netherlands Industries for Defence and Security (NIDV).

Ukraine will be represented by senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, joined by more than 50 innovators and manufacturers.

Mr. Ruben Brekelmans, Minister of Defence of the Netherlands, underlined:

“In a time of growing geopolitical tension, partnering is not a choice - it’s a necessity. Ukraine brings an unmatched innovation cycle, where solutions move from concept to deployment in weeks. When combined with Dutch and Europe’s industrial capacity, this speed and ingenuity can outpace our adversaries not just in quality and ideas, but also in cost, scale, and production tempo. EDIF brings together governments, industry leaders and innovators to build a stronger, smarter and more resilient Europe.”

From battlefield innovation to European cooperation

Participants will explore practical pathways for joint manufacturing, localisation of production and new partnership models.

Mr. Hans Huigen, Director, Netherlands Industries for Defence and Security (NIDV):

“The NIDV and the Netherlands industry see how operational insights and experience drive industrial breakthroughs in Ukraine. Ukraine offers a unique wealth of real-time data and battlefield-proven designs - from autonomous systems to counter-drone measures - that Europe can integrate today. By combining Ukraine's experience with Dutch and European engineering and manufacturing strength, we can accelerate the delivery of next-gen systems that match the speed of threats. EDIF is exactly the kind of platform where this alignment can happen."

Dutch innovation agencies and public institutions will share expertise in funding, infrastructure, and long-term support for dual-use and defence-sector start-ups.

H.E. Mr. Andriy Kostin, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, remarked:

“Ukraine’s frontline experience is way more than a story of resilience, as it is a strategic security capability for Europe. We have developed solutions under fire that address threats faster than they emerge, and we are ready to bring this doctrine of rapid innovation into joint European projects. With the Netherlands taking a leadership role, we can co-develop systems that are superior in performance, faster and more cost-effective to produce. Together, we are building a defence ecosystem capable of anticipating and defeating tomorrow’s challenges.”

Programme designed for outcomes

The programme is built around four practical tracks, each designed to turn innovation into tangible outcomes:

B2B Matchmaking: Pre-booked 1:1 meetings between Ukrainian innovators, European primes/SMEs and investors.
Demo Lane: Live/interactive demonstrations of battlefield-proven systems.
Certification & Export Clinic: CE/EASA/NATO codification pathways and market access guidance.
Financing Track: Instruments for pilots, guarantees and co-production scale-up.

Collaboration across Europe and Ukraine

The programme features Dutch and Ukrainian companies that have deployed solutions in frontline conditions, sharing perspectives on scaling and on tackling barriers such as certification and access to contracts.

The event is organised by the Embassy of Ukraine in the Netherlands, DeltaQuad and VN Strategies, with the support of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO), the Netherlands Industries for Defence and Security (NIDV), Dutch Regional Development Agencies (ROM-Nederland), the Municipality of The Hague and other public and private stakeholders.

At-a-glance

Location: Amazon Room - World Forum The Hague
Date: 25 September 2025
Registration: defenceinnovations.eu
Press Contact: EDIF Press Office – media@defenceinnovations.eu

About the European Defence Innovation Forum (EDIF)

The European Defence Innovation Forum (EDIF) is Europe’s new platform where dual-use innovation meets industry, entrepreneurship, capital and policy in both the EU and Ukraine. This inaugural forum recognises Ukraine as a force multiplier for European defence and security.