Ukraine Resumes Managed Export of Arms and Naval Drones

Ukraine has announced the resumption of limited arms exports in order to attract additional funds for production and maintain its competitive position in the international market.

The Gaze reports on it, referring to Militarnyi.

In his evening address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that this would partially compensate for the funding shortfall in defense production and increase the output of drones for the front lines.

"We will cover the funding shortfall for weapons production starting this year, including through the controlled export of certain types of our weapons. Thanks to such controlled exports, we will increase the production of drones for the front," he said.

At the same time, the first priority will remain supplying the brigades on the front line, the second will be replenishing arsenals, and only the third will be exports. In the next two weeks, they plan to present the export concept and create three new platforms.

According to analysts' estimates, Ukrainian production capacities are currently only 55% utilized, and 97% of private manufacturers are waiting for restrictions to be lifted.

This is especially true for manufacturers of naval drones, anti-tank weapons, and other systems, which already exceed the needs of the front lines. At the same time, business conditions remain difficult: exports have been closed, financing is limited, enterprises are suffering from attacks, and the liquidation of the relevant ministry has increased uncertainty.

Experts warn that the “window of opportunity” for the Ukrainian defense industry is about a year, until Western companies create competitive analogues based on Ukrainian experience. Therefore, opening up exports is considered key to maintaining positions in the international market and avoiding displacement by global players.

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