Ukraine is reinstating a full-fledged export mechanism for its weapons. This marks a significant shift in the defense industry – moving from production solely for domestic use to selling products to international partners.
This initiative will allow for the influx of additional funding into the national security and defense sector.
This was announced by the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and adviser to the President of Ukraine Oleksandr Kamyshyn during a press meeting.
According to them, the export procedure will remain as simple and transparent as possible. If a company meets the specified export criteria and has surplus production capacities not engaged by the Defense Forces, it can submit an application to the State Export Control Service (SECS).
The SECS will review the submitted information within 90 days and make a decision regarding the issuance of an export permit.
The determination of surplus products is conducted through interagency inquiries. The Ministry of Defense summarizes the needs of the military, and the final decision is made collectively during a meeting of the Interagency Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation and Export Control with the involvement of representatives from all Defense Forces.
Private manufacturers are granted flexibility in choosing their export pathways. They can utilize the services of state special exporters, private companies, or receive their own authority. This is feasible through the status of a Defense City resident – within 7–12 days, or by a separate decision of the Cabinet of Ministers – within a year.
After agreement with the State Export Control Service and the Interagency Commission at the National Security and Defense Council, the company receives an export permit.
“This approach provides a dual level of control – technical and security,” the statement emphasizes.
The state maintains complete oversight over the end users of Ukrainian weapons. The NSDC formulates and regularly updates a list of countries permitted to receive arms supplies.
Initially, this list will include nations with which Ukraine has signed security agreements. This ensures that exports occur only within verified partnerships. No unit of Ukrainian weaponry can be resold without Ukraine's consent. Post-export control is enforced, including with the involvement of intelligence agencies.
“The priority is the front. If the Armed Forces urgently need this weaponry, the export permit may be halted or revoked,” the meeting participants stressed.