# NATO’s DIANA signs defence innovation agreement with Ukraine

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/natos-diana-signs-defence-innovation-agreement-with-ukraine
- Published: 2026-11-02
- Type: News · Country: international
- Language: en (original)
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/natos-diana-signs-defence-innovation-agreement-with-ukraine.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/natos-diana-signs-defence-innovation-agreement-with-ukraine.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/natos-diana-signs-defence-innovation-agreement-with-ukraine.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/natos-diana-signs-defence-innovation-agreement-with-ukraine.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/natos-diana-signs-defence-innovation-agreement-with-ukraine.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/natos-diana-signs-defence-innovation-agreement-with-ukraine.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/natos-diana-signs-defence-innovation-agreement-with-ukraine.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/natos-diana-signs-defence-innovation-agreement-with-ukraine.md), sv (https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/natos-diana-signs-defence-innovation-agreement-with-ukraine.md)
- Primary source: https://nato.int/en/news-and-events/articles/news/2026/10/29/natos-diana-and-ukraine-strengthen-cooperation-on-defence-innovation
- Tags: nato, diana, ukraine, defence innovation, nato partner

> NATO's DIANA has signed its first memorandum of understanding with a partner country, Ukraine, to deepen cooperation on defence technology development and testing. The agreement aims to connect Ukrainian innovators with NATO's network while leveraging Ukraine's wartime experience adapting military technologies, though no specific projects or funding have yet been announced.

![NATO and Ukrainian Flags](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/63ce6a53-bfd3-4b4f-b36d-d2989640b500/public)
*NATO and Ukrainian Flags · NATO*

**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](https://nato.int/en/news-and-events/articles/news/2026/10/29/natos-diana-and-ukraine-strengthen-cooperation-on-defence-innovation).

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.

## FAQ

**What does the DIANA-Ukraine memorandum of understanding cover?**

The memorandum connects Ukrainian defence technology developers with NATO's innovation network, enabling technology testing and better understanding of NATO requirements. It also aims to address obstacles to scaling promising technologies into wider production. NATO has not announced specific joint projects, funding, or an implementation timetable. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-02.

**When and where was the NATO DIANA agreement with Ukraine signed?**

The agreement was signed at NATO Headquarters on 29 October, according to a NATO statement. It represents the first memorandum of understanding of its kind between DIANA and a NATO partner country, building on existing cooperation with Ukraine on defence innovation. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-02.

**Why is this agreement significant for NATO's defence innovation network?**

The agreement matters because it could broaden the range of technology suppliers available to the Alliance, according to NATO. Ukraine's experience developing and adapting military technologies during Russia's full-scale invasion is central, while DIANA offers access to expertise, testing infrastructure, and development organisations. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-02.

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