Too few defense contractors are testing their technology in real-world situations against a peer adversary, according to NATO’s military chief, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich. Speaking on Thursday, he praised companies making the effort to collaborate with the Ukrainian military. Grynkewich highlighted that those who have taken the initiative to test their technology have either gained valuable insights or opted to withdraw due to the competitive environment, which he highlighted as the future battlefield context.
Grynkewich, who leads U.S. European Command and serves as NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, addressed an industry group virtually from Washington, D.C. He encouraged companies interested in selling new products to NATO allies to attend the upcoming Defense Tech Valley conference in Ukraine this September. The conference aims to bring together numerous companies across Europe that have co-production or co-licensing agreements and partnerships with Ukraine, viewing it as an opportunity to understand the modern battlefield and future equipment needs.
In response to changing defense needs, NATO allies throughout Europe are increasing their defense budgets. A significant portion of these expenditures is expected to support Ukraine, facilitated by the NATO Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a recent initiative that has already garnered over $2 billion in pledges. Grynkewich noted that European Command plays an essential role in aligning Ukraine’s capability requests with U.S. and European inventories.
Grynkewich explained the process whereby Ukraine communicates its requirements, which are reviewed in a joint U.S. European Command and NATO working group. The validation of these requirements is then escalated by Grynkewich, who noted that some military assets, such as PAC-3 missiles, can only be sourced from U.S. manufacturers.
Additionally, Grynkewich indicated that the PURL initiative encompasses a wide range of military needs beyond missiles, including advanced drones. This broad framework allows NATO and SACEUR to assess critical equipment available or in development by the U.S. and allied nations. He pointed out that Ukraine currently has a pressing demand for Patriot interceptors to defend against missile and drone attacks, and emphasized that feedback from Ukrainian fighters will significantly inform decisions about future weapon stockpiling and European arms development.
Finally, Grynkewich advised new and established defense companies to identify suitable partners and engage in real-world testing. He asserted that lessons learned from current battlegrounds are crucial for future military engagements in all global regions, including the Indo-Pacific.
