The Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry: 94% of Ukrainian arms manufacturers ready for export

94.4% of Ukrainian defence manufacturers have declared their readiness to begin exports, according to The Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry, following the results of the third International Defence Industries Forum DFNC3, held on 6 October in Kyiv.

The forum gathered over 1,500 participants from 20 countries, including representatives of government institutions, diplomatic missions, defence agencies and 850 companies.

According to the Council’s Executive Director Ihor Fedirko, the Ukrainian defence industry is formalising a new export policy. Manufacturers are ready for partnerships, joint production lines and cooperation in compliance with international safety and control standards.

Given that over 40% of the weapons used on the front are Ukrainian-made, the government is preparing long-term contracts and controlled export mechanisms with mandatory end-user certificates, re-export bans and verification rights. At the same time, export-import platforms are being established in Europe and the United States to expand markets for Ukrainian companies and attract investment.

Recent developments in Europe, including a series of unidentified drone flights over civilian and military airports in Scandinavia in late September, have highlighted the relevance of security issues and the need for joint measures to counter drone and cyber threats. Ukraine, with its practical experience in this field, is considering participation in building European resilience systems.

It is also worth noting that during the forum, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the launch of a systematic controlled export programme under the working title “Weapons”. The programme provides for the export of weapon types that Ukraine produces in surplus, in order to fund the production of weapons needed at the front.