Ukrainian arms manufacturers on the main obstacle: Europe is slowing down the pace of the war
Ukrainian defense companies say that the main challenge to their integration into the European defense market is not technology or competition, but the overly complex bureaucratic procedures in the EU. Representatives of Fire Point emphasized this during the Eurosatory-2026 international exhibition, highlighting the difference in decision-making speed between Ukraine and Europe.
Ukraine’s experience in developing weapons under wartime conditions has shaped a completely different pace of work within the defense-industrial complex, where development, testing, and modernization can take weeks rather than years, as is the case in many European countries. According to Iryna Terekh, CEO and CTO of Fire Point, it is precisely this difference in speed that is the main obstacle to the large-scale integration of Ukrainian technologies into European defense systems.
During a briefing at Eurosatory-2026, she emphasized that Ukraine can be not only a partner for Europe but also a source of a new approach to defense innovation, but this requires changing regulatory mechanisms, which often simply cannot keep up with the pace of modern warfare. She emphasized that Ukrainian manufacturers are sometimes forced to face a paradox: technologically ready solutions cannot be quickly integrated due to complex approval and certification procedures.
As an example, Iryna Terekh cited the development of the Flamingo missile, the creation and certification process for which took only five weeks in Ukraine, including all testing and approvals. She noted that under European conditions, a similar process could take significantly longer due to multi-level approvals, access to test sites, and coordination among various agencies. “I can’t even imagine what those timelines would be like in the EU, given the number of required tests, the availability of test ranges, and the coordination needed between aviation authorities, electronic warfare units, and a multitude of other points of approval. We managed to do all of this very quickly,” she noted.
Separately, the Fire Point representative emphasized the flexibility of Ukraine’s defense procurement system, which allows for rapid changes to product specifications without complex procedures or lengthy approvals—a critical factor given the constantly changing situation on the front lines. According to her, it is precisely this responsiveness that makes it possible to adapt equipment to actual combat needs in literally just a few days.
Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council David Aloyan, who also spoke at the briefing, added that speed and flexibility have become key advantages of the Ukrainian defense sector during the war. He emphasized that while in some European countries defense procurement can drag on for years even at the planning stage, Ukraine is forced to make decisions much faster due to constant changes on the battlefield. “Improving procurement processes is one of the achievements we’ve made over the years. But in some European countries, certain processes or strategies require at least one or two years just for preparation,” he noted.
The Ukrainian side emphasizes that it is already engaged in dialogue with European partners regarding the adaptation of defense procedures to the conditions of modern warfare, where the speed of decision-making is often just as important as the level of technology itself. This was stated by Fire Point CEO and CTO Iryna Terekh during a briefing at the Eurosatory-2026 international defense exhibition.
