Resuming Weapon Exports in Ukraine

Ukraine is reinstating a comprehensive mechanism for exporting its own weapons. This represents a new impetus for the defense sector, transitioning from production solely for internal use to selling products to international partners.
Such a move will attract additional funding for the national security and defense sector.
This information was shared by the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, and the President's advisor on strategic issues, Oleksandr Kamyshin, during a meeting with journalists.
According to them, the export procedure will remain as straightforward and transparent as possible. If a company meets the established export criteria and has surplus production capacities not engaged by the Defense Forces, it can apply to the State Export Control Service (SECS).
SECS will have 90 days to verify the submitted data and make a decision regarding the issuance of a permit.
The determination of surplus products is carried out through inter-agency requests. The Ministry of Defense summarizes the needs of the military, and the final decision is made collectively at a meeting of the Interagency Commission on Military and Technical Cooperation and Export Control, involving representatives from all Defense Forces.
Private manufacturers are given flexibility in choosing their export paths. They can use the services of state special exporters, private companies, or obtain their own powers. This can be achieved through the status of a Defense City resident — within 7–12 days or through a separate decision by the Cabinet of Ministers — within a year.
After agreeing with the State Export Control Service and the Interagency Commission under the NSDC, the company receives permission for export.
“This approach ensures a dual level of control — technical and security,” the statement emphasizes.
The state maintains full control over the end users of Ukrainian weapons. The NSDC formulates and regularly updates the list of countries to which arms supplies are permitted.
The first countries to be included on this list will be those with which Ukraine has signed security agreements. This guarantees that exports will occur only within verified partnerships. No unit of Ukrainian weaponry can be resold without Ukraine's knowledge. Post-export control is also in place, involving intelligence agencies.
“The priority is the front. If the Armed Forces urgently need this weaponry, the export permit can be suspended or revoked,” the participants of the meeting emphasized.