at the Eurosatory exhibition, Ukraine presents its drones “to attract attention”

The global defense and security exhibition, which is being held in Villepinte, north of Paris until Friday, aims to be the technological showcase for arms manufacturers. A meeting that Ukraine could not miss, in the midst of war against Russia.

Eurosatory, the largest international land defense and security exhibition, opened Monday June 17 in Villepinte, north of Paris. Among the 43 national pavilions represented, those of Saudi Arabia and the Emirates are present for the first time. As well as Ukraine, a country at war, which presents its military equipment. Next to the arms giants, the kyiv stand is like “Tom Thumb” at the world defense and security exhibition.

However, its production to resist Vladimir Putin’s Russia has become emblematic: they are drones, whether aerial or naval. “All the materials you see on the stand are used in Ukraine. They have proven themselves on the front.”presents Ivan, one of the managers of the Ukrainian pavilion, who adds: “Obviously we have export restrictions.”

Because in reality, the Ukrainian industrialists who are present under the banner of the Spets techno export consortium did not come to sell, explains Ivan. “We expose to attract attention, to say that Ukraine is not only a victim, but has many engineers. We have solutions, but we need investments, cooperation and joint venturesspecifies Ivan. In fact, it’s an offer to do business together.”. And above all to continue producing, at all costs, in the face of the Russian war machine.

With the war in Ukraine, many countries, particularly in Europe, realized that they were far from having sufficient capacities and stocks to deter and respond if necessary. The biannual show therefore benefits from record attendance, with more than 2 000 exhibitors from 61 countries and 270 official delegations.

Global defense spending, constantly increasing since 2014, has climbed another 9% in 2023 to reach the record amount of 2,200 billion dollars, half of which goes to NATO countries, according to the International Defense Research Institute. peace (Sipri).