On December 15, 2025, the German government, under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, announced a comprehensive 10-point plan to significantly expand defense industry cooperation with Ukraine. The initiative was presented during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Berlin, where he met with Chancellor Merz and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. This plan aims to foster deeper integration between the two countries' defense sectors, building on existing commitments amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.
The plan emphasizes joint ventures, research collaboration, and procurement reforms to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities while enhancing European security. Key elements include the establishment of a liaison office—referred to as "Ukraine Freedom House"—for Ukraine's defense industry in Berlin. This office is intended to facilitate contacts between Ukrainian and German companies, promote Ukrainian products on the European market, and streamline partnerships.
A major focus is on strengthening collaboration in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or combat drones, reflecting Ukraine's battlefield innovations in drone warfare. The plan also calls for accelerated integration of Ukrainian manufacturers into the European Union defense market through simplified certification procedures, harmonized EU standards, and inclusion in European supply chains.
German officials highlighted the potential for joint procurement, where arms purchases for Ukraine—conducted jointly with European partners—would increasingly include Ukrainian-produced goods, such as drones and ammunition. This marks a shift, as previous aid often prioritized Western systems.
To encourage investment, the German government is examining the provision of federal investment guarantees for German defense companies operating in Ukraine. Both nations have committed to addressing corruption risks in defense procurement, with measures to ensure transparency and anti-corruption safeguards.
The strategy includes the formation of multiple joint ventures between German and Ukrainian firms, targeting the co-development, production, and maintenance of weapon systems. In the medium term, this could lead to German-Ukrainian co-produced arms being deployed on the front lines and potentially adopted by the German armed forces.
Another innovative aspect involves the exchange of digital battlefield data from Ukraine, including real-world performance insights on German-supplied weapons. This information would inform military training, strategy refinement, and product improvements in both countries.
High-level elements include regular consultations between the German and Ukrainian defense ministries on arms policy. Germany also plans to expand its military attaché staff at the embassy in Kyiv to better coordinate efforts.
Financially, the German government has allocated over €500 million to support this deepened cooperation, though specific breakdowns were not detailed in public statements. This builds on the bilateral German-Ukrainian security agreement signed in February 2024, which already emphasized defense industry collaboration as a pillar of long-term support.
Chancellor Merz described the plan as heralding "the beginning of a new form of military-industrial cooperation" with "very great potential," noting benefits for industrial capacity and technological innovation in Germany. Ukrainian officials welcomed the moves as vital for sustaining defense production under wartime conditions.
This announcement comes as transatlantic efforts intensify to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine, with parallel high-level talks in Berlin involving U.S., European, and Ukrainian representatives. The plan aligns with broader European goals to reduce dependency on external suppliers and strengthen the continent's defense industrial base.
Separately, recent data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy's Ukraine Support Tracker underscores Germany's leading role in European aid. While U.S. military assistance has fluctuated, European support—driven significantly by Germany—has shown resilience. Germany's cumulative bilateral and EU-channeled aid (military, financial, and humanitarian) to Ukraine has surpassed previous benchmarks, positioning it as Europe's top supporter.
The 10-point plan represents a strategic pivot toward sustainable, industrialized support for Ukraine, potentially transforming ad-hoc aid into structured partnerships. Analysts view it as a response to prolonged conflict dynamics, aiming to deter future aggression through a more robust Ukrainian defense ecosystem integrated with Europe.
As implementation begins, challenges remain, including regulatory hurdles, security risks in Ukraine, and ensuring equitable benefits. Nonetheless, the initiative signals Germany's commitment to Ukraine's long-term security and Europe's collective defense posture.
