Ukraine opens weapons exports for first time since war began
Photo: Ukraine approves weapons exports for domestic manufacturers (Getty Images)
Ukraine is introducing a simplified mechanism for exporting domestically produced weapons and military technologies to partner countries. The new model will reduce the processing time for manufacturer applications threefold. The new model will reduce the time required to review manufacturers' applications by threefold, according to the Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, and Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
What Fast Track includes
Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers has approved a resolution launching a special controlled export mechanism for Ukrainian manufacturers. The simplified procedure will apply to shipments to countries that have signed Drone Deal agreements, with the key change being a reduction in application review times from 90 days to 30 days.
According to Umerov, in standard cases, decisions will be made without mandatory review by the Interagency Commission.
"We are shortening the timelines without reducing oversight. This decision will allow Ukrainian manufacturers to work faster while ensuring the state retains all the necessary safeguards to protect national security," Umerov said.
Key rules and restrictions
The new mechanism will remain in effect throughout martial law and will apply to weapons exports worth at least UAH 15 million. This threshold will not apply to components.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry will compile the list of partner countries, while the Defense Ministry will update every quarter the list of critical goods to which the simplified procedure will not apply due to national security risks.
The government has also introduced financial safeguards to support the development of Ukraine's defense industry.
According to Svyrydenko, part of the revenue from international contracts will remain in Ukraine.
"Twenty percent of the revenue from exports of finished products and technologies, and 30% from exports of components, will be allocated to a special state budget fund to develop Ukraine's defense industry," Svyrydenko said.
The state will also protect intellectual property. Technologies will be transferred without assigning ownership rights, while re-export to third parties will only be allowed with Ukraine's written consent.
If products manufactured using Ukrainian technologies are subsequently sold to another buyer, 20% of their value will be transferred to Ukraine's state budget.
Defense Forces will remain the priority
Supplying Ukraine's Defense Forces will remain the government's absolute priority. A manufacturer will be allowed to export products only if it can demonstrate the ability to fulfill both government and export contracts simultaneously.
Export authorization will be denied if the Defense Ministry or another state customer plans to procure the same products for the front line.
Defense Minister Fedorov said transparent rules would help scale up Ukraine's domestic defense technology sector.
"Our task is to create conditions in which Ukrainian manufacturers can expand production, enter new markets, and attract international investment while maintaining the priority of supplying the Defense Forces," Fedorov said.
