Ukraine is initiating a comprehensive arms export mechanism that marks a significant advancement for its defense industry. The country will transition from producing solely for domestic needs to selling to international partners.
This initiative will facilitate additional funding for the national security and defense sector.
The announcement was made by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and Alexander Kamyshin, presidential advisor on strategic issues, during a meeting with journalists.
According to them, the export procedure will remain as simple and transparent as possible. Companies that meet the set criteria for export access and have excess production capacities not utilized by the Defense Forces can apply to the State Export Control Service (SECS).
SECS will review the submitted data within 90 days and make a decision on granting permission.
The determination of excess production will be conducted through interdepartmental requests. The Ministry of Defense summarizes the needs of the military, and the final decision is made collectively at the meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation and Export Control, with representatives from all Defense Forces involved.
Private manufacturers will have the flexibility to choose their export paths. They can utilize the services of state special exporters, private companies, or obtain their own permissions. This can be done through the status of a resident of Defense City – within 7-12 days, or by a separate decision from the Cabinet of Ministers – within a year.
After agreement with the State Export Control Service and the Interdepartmental Commission under the NSDC, the company receives an export permit.
“This approach ensures a double level of control – both 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 exports are permitted.
The first countries on this list will be those with which Ukraine has signed security agreements. This guarantees that exports will occur only within verified partnership relationships. No unit of Ukrainian weaponry can be resold without Ukraine's knowledge. Post-export control measures are in place, including the involvement of intelligence agencies.
“Priority is the front. If the Armed Forces urgently need this weaponry, the export permit can be suspended or revoked,” the meeting participants stressed.