INNOVATION DEFENSE CLUSTERS - AN EFFECTIVE DRIVER OF DEFENSE AND NATIONAL SECURITY OF UKRAINE

Abstract

Today, Ukraine finds itself at a stage where there is an understanding that we significantly lag behind leaders in terms of technological and innovative solutions. There is recognition that the existing innovation system is outdated, failing to foster genius or facilitate a formal process for generating new ideas. Even if it does foster innovation, it fails to provide adequate work and compensation, leading to a brain drain of talented youth and experienced professionals abroad. As is well known, any war serves as a driving force for progress; it was during periods of war that numerous ingenious modernizations, design decisions, and inventions were made. However, despite the aggression of the Russian Federation, in Ukraine, the innovation landscape, including the defense innovation system, operates with significant slowdown, encountering barriers leading to minimal efficiency, and fails to address both the acceleration of economic development and the provision of national security for the state. After a brief analysis of the experience of leading countries around the world in utilizing innovations, an assessment of Ukraine’s innovative policies is presented. Key recommendations are provided regarding the establishment of innovative clusters for defense tailored to the specific branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These clusters are designed to serve both the defense needs of the state and the broader national security interests of Ukraine.