Original Coverage & Source Attribution: nordicdefencesector.com
NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine to expand cooperation on defence technology development and testing. The agreement is the first of its kind between DIANA and a NATO partner country.
The agreement was signed at NATO Headquarters on 29 October, according to a statement from NATO.
The cooperation is intended to connect Ukrainian defence technology developers with NATO’s innovation network, including opportunities to test technologies and gain a better understanding of NATO requirements. It will also address obstacles to bringing promising technologies into wider production and use.
Ukraine’s experience of developing and adapting military technologies during Russia’s full-scale invasion is a central part of the cooperation. In return, DIANA provides access to a network of defence expertise, testing infrastructure and organisations working to develop new military capabilities.
– This Memorandum of Understanding is a beginning. A door is opening. Now our job is to walk through it together, says Jyoti Hirani-Driver, Acting Managing Director of DIANA, in NATO’s statement.
According to NATO, the agreement builds on existing cooperation with Ukraine on defence innovation and could help broaden the range of technology suppliers available to the Alliance.
The memorandum establishes a framework for further cooperation. NATO has not announced any specific joint development projects, funding commitments or implementation timetable.
