Ukraine Pushes Defense Export Agenda

Ukraine is looking to capitalize on the success it has had developing counter-drone and other systems by adjusting government rules to enable defense exports.

Sales of such equipment were proscribed given the country’s own needs to defend itself against Russian aggression. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is looking to change that given the scale of defense industrial production.

“The export of Ukrainian weapons will become a reality—we have approved all the details at the level of our state institutions,” Zelenskyy said April 28.

The defense export push in part is aimed at diversifying the Ukrainian economy, which is heavily dependent on agricultural exports.

“Ukrainian companies will receive a real opportunity to enter partner countries’ markets, provided that our military has the right to receive the necessary volume of weapons first,” Zelenskyy said.

Kyiv will simplify procedures for arms transfers while maintaining adequate export controls, he said, noting transfers to countries seen as aligned with Russia will not be allowed. Deals could involve areas such as drones, missiles, ammunition, software and other items.

Ukraine has already transferred some of its expertise to the Middle East, where Gulf countries were asking for help to deal with Iranian drone attacks. Kyiv also has offered assistance to the Pentagon.

Zelenskyy said that in some areas, Ukraine has gone from a shortage of equipment supply to 50% overcapacity that could be made available to others.

Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council will oversee export processes to ensure local needs are met first, Zelenskyy said.