The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers has officially approved the “first transparent mechanism for exporting domestically produced defense technologies.” The plan, announced by Ukrainian Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov on LinkedIn, aims to allow Ukrainian manufacturers to work “with international partners, scale production, attract investment, and, at the same time, ensure that the needs of Ukraine’s Defence Forces remain the top priority.”
“For the first time, Ukraine has established a clear procedure that sets out a single, transparent framework for the government, manufacturers, and international partners,” wrote Fedorov.
The new framework will allow approved partner nations to buy Ukrainian defence equipment and technology directly from domestic manufacturers under the Drone Deal programme. Only countries with the appropriate government-to-government agreements will be eligible, creating a structured route for allies to access Ukrainian defence tech.
The framework also sets out an approval process for exports. Defence companies will be able to submit applications for contracts worth more than 15 million Ukrainian hryvnia, with the government aiming to make decisions within 30 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will decide which countries qualify for the programme, while the Ministry of Defence and other government bodies will maintain a list of technologies and equipment that must remain under national control.
The policy is designed to protect Ukrainian intellectual property while allowing international collaboration. Overseas buyers will be permitted to use Ukrainian technology, but ownership of the underlying intellectual property will remain with Ukraine. Any transfer to another country will require prior approval from the Ukrainian government. Products built using Ukrainian technology and later sold abroad will also return a share of their value to Ukraine, with a 20 per cent payment going to the state.
“Exports will be permitted only if the requirements of the Ukrainian military are fully guaranteed. If the state requires a particular type of defense product, export authorization may be withheld,” said Fedorov. “At the same time, manufacturers will be allowed to export their products if they can guarantee the simultaneous fulfillment of both government contracts and export orders.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in February that arms exports could be an engine for the economy going forward, citing a report by the Kyiv School of Economics that estimated that Ukraine’s defense sector was worth $6.8 billion in 2025. Ihor Fedirko, current head of the Ukrainian Council of Defense Industry, said that the exports would not affect Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
“A controlled export model is about loading production lines without touching the red line — Ukraine’s needs first,” Fedirko said in a February interview.
