During a visit to Kyiv on 8 March 2026, Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine and the Netherlands are exploring deeper cooperation in arms production, particularly in the rapidly expanding domain of drone warfare. His discussions with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten signal an emerging defence partnership that could reshape Europe's military industrial landscape.

Speaking following the talks, Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine's wartime experience has created a unique body of operational expertise, particularly in countering Iranian made unmanned aerial vehicles deployed by Russian forces. This expertise, forged through four years of full scale war, is increasingly being viewed by European partners as strategically valuable.

The meeting comes at a moment when Ukraine is transforming battlefield necessity into a structured defence export capability.

Ukraine's war with Russia has forced an unprecedented acceleration in military innovation. Facing persistent attacks from Iranian designed Shahed drones deployed by Moscow, Ukrainian engineers and defence manufacturers have rapidly developed low cost interceptor drones capable of destroying hostile unmanned aircraft.

This new category of defensive drones has attracted growing interest from allied governments. According to Ukrainian manufacturers, production capacity now exists to export these systems in substantial volumes.

Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine is prepared to sell interceptor drones that are not required by its own armed forces. At the same time, Ukrainian military instructors are preparing to deploy abroad to share operational expertise in counter drone warfare.

This shift marks a significant transformation. Ukraine is evolving from a recipient of Western military assistance into an emerging exporter of defence capability.

The discussions with the Netherlands represent part of a broader effort by Kyiv to embed itself within Europe's defence industrial framework. In recent months, Ukraine has actively pursued joint arms production initiatives with multiple European states.

Factories dedicated to drone production have already been opened, enabling shared manufacturing arrangements with allied partners.

The strategic logic is clear. By integrating Ukrainian wartime innovation with European capital and industrial capacity, a new hybrid defence production model could emerge.

For the Netherlands, cooperation offers access to real battlefield tested technology at a time when European states are urgently expanding their military readiness.

For Ukraine, the benefits are equally significant. Joint production agreements ensure long term investment in Ukraine's defence sector while strengthening political ties with European partners.

The emerging partnership also raises important legal and regulatory questions under international arms transfer regimes.

Arms production partnerships between states must comply with export control frameworks governing sensitive military technology. These include obligations under European Union arms export regulations and international commitments such as the Arms Trade Treaty.

Joint manufacturing arrangements also require careful structuring to address intellectual property rights, licensing regimes and end use monitoring obligations.

Ukraine's growing defence industry will therefore need to navigate complex compliance systems to ensure that drone exports meet international legal standards.

However, Ukraine's battlefield experience provides a powerful argument in favour of such cooperation. European governments increasingly recognise that practical operational knowledge gained in war may be indispensable for their own security planning.

The relevance of Ukraine's drone experience has been amplified by rising tensions in the Middle East. Iranian drones have been used in attacks across the region, raising concerns among governments about the growing proliferation of unmanned aerial threats.

Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine possesses extensive operational knowledge in defending against such systems, including the Shahed drone model widely deployed by Russia.

Kyiv now intends to share that knowledge internationally.

The first group of Ukrainian instructors is expected to travel to the Middle East to assist partners in building defensive capabilities against drone attacks.

This move signals a major expansion of Ukraine's security diplomacy.

Rather than acting solely as a theatre of war, Ukraine is positioning itself as a global centre of expertise in counter drone defence.

For European governments, the logic behind closer cooperation with Ukraine extends beyond immediate military assistance.

The war has exposed significant weaknesses in Europe's defence manufacturing capacity. Many European states have struggled to replenish weapons stockpiles following years of reduced military spending.

Ukraine's rapidly evolving drone industry offers a potential solution.

By partnering with Ukrainian manufacturers, European states may gain access to low cost, combat proven technologies capable of strengthening their own defensive capabilities.

The partnership with the Netherlands therefore reflects a broader shift in Europe's strategic thinking. Ukraine is no longer viewed solely as a frontline state defending the continent. It is increasingly regarded as an integral component of Europe's future defence ecosystem.

The war has imposed enormous human and economic costs on Ukraine. Yet it has also catalysed a profound transformation within the country's defence sector.

Necessity has driven innovation at a remarkable pace. Ukrainian engineers, soldiers and manufacturers have collectively built one of the most advanced operational environments for drone warfare in the world.

This expertise is now becoming a geopolitical asset.

Through partnerships with European governments and potential cooperation with states beyond the continent, Ukraine is laying the foundations for a new role in the global defence economy.

What began as a desperate response to invasion is evolving into a strategic industry with international reach.

The discussions between Zelenskyy and the Dutch Prime Minister therefore carry implications far beyond bilateral cooperation.

They highlight the emergence of a new defence paradigm in which technological innovation developed on the battlefield rapidly translates into exportable capability.

In this evolving landscape, Ukraine's wartime experience may prove to be one of the most valuable strategic assets in Europe.

As unmanned systems increasingly shape the character of modern conflict, the country that has learned to survive against them may soon become the world's most sought after teacher.