Ukraine is reinstating a full mechanism for exporting domestically-produced weapons under the oversight of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC), officials announced, according to Ukrainian defense portal Militarnyi.
The move marks a key step in formalising Ukraine’s fast-growing defence industry. By reopening arms exports, Kyiv aims to attract new revenue and investment to fund its own military needs, sustain production, and deepen cooperation with partners, while keeping front-line supply the top priority.
Ukraine largely suspended arms exports after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, redirecting all production to front-line needs. The renewed system reopens that channel under stricter oversight and updated procedures, prioritising trusted partners.
According to NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov and presidential strategic adviser Oleksandr Kamyshin, the renewed export procedure will apply primarily to countries that have signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine. The announcement was made during a meeting with journalists, Ukrainian defense portal Militarnyi reports.
Under the renewed system, Ukrainian defence companies with surplus production capacity will be able to apply for export licences through the State Service for Export Control. Approval will depend on confirmation that the equipment is not needed by the military.
Private producers will have flexibility in how they export - either via state intermediaries, private firms, or independently if authorised. The NSDC will maintain a list of approved partner countries, ensuring exports remain within trusted networks and under strict post-export monitoring.
“Such an approach provides a double level of control - technical and security,” the officials said.
They also underlined that exports will not come at the expense of the Armed Forces. “If the military urgently needs this weapon, the export licence can be suspended or cancelled,” the officials added.
