Arms production in Ukraine increased by 43% per year: export prospects

In 2025, Ukraine plans to achieve arms production volumes of approximately $35 billion, and in 2026 this figure may reach $50 billion. This means an increase of more than 40% per year. This was reported by the executive director of the Ukrainian Council of Arms Manufacturers Ihor Fedirko in an exclusive interview for Delo.ua.

According to him, the main share of the growth in monetary terms is provided by various types of strike weapons. Among the priority areas are kamikaze drones, cruise missiles, interceptors, strike drones and bombers, which remain key to the state's defense capability.

Regarding exports, Fedirko notes that the government must fulfill the president's task of launching it by the end of 2025. To do this, it is necessary to determine the rules and mechanisms of export, establish requirements for enterprises, determine export duties and taxes, and appoint responsible bodies.

“I expect the president to announce the official terms in the coming month. But the announcement is only the first step. Regulations, decrees, and detailed regulations are also needed,” emphasizes Ihor Fedirko.

The first export contracts, according to an optimistic forecast, may appear as early as the middle of next year. However, before that, it is necessary to conduct negotiations with potential partners, transfer test samples, test products with the armies of other countries, assess quality standards, and integrate production processes with the requirements of foreign customers.

An important factor is the difference between production in wartime conditions in Ukraine and in the European Union. “In the EU, the processes are much longer and more bureaucratic, with strict certification standards and environmental regulations,” notes Fedirko. The state has already identified two main export mechanisms: duplication of Ukrainian production facilities in Europe, the USA, and Canada, as well as direct export of finished products and their components.

Thus, the growth of weapons production in Ukraine is significant, and the established mechanisms for preparing for export allow us to hope for new contracts in the near future, while taking into account strict international standards and the need for product testing and integration.