Ukraine is reactivating a full-fledged arms export mechanism, marking a significant shift towards developing its defense industry – transitioning from purely domestic production to international sales.
This initiative will facilitate the influx of additional funds into the national security sector.
This was announced by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and Oleksandr Kamyshin, strategic advisor to the President of Ukraine, during a press briefing.
They indicated that the export procedure would remain straightforward and transparent. If a company meets the set criteria for export and has surplus production capacities not utilized by the Armed Forces, it can submit an application to the State Export Control Service (SECS).
The SECS will take 90 days to verify the submitted information and make a decision.
The identification of surplus products occurs through inter-agency inquiries, with the Ministry of Defense summarizing the needs of the military, and the final decision being made collectively at meetings of the Inter-Agency Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation and Export Control, involving representatives from all branches of the armed forces.
Private manufacturers are granted flexibility in choosing the export route. They may use the services of state special exporters, private companies, or obtain their own powers through the status of a Defense City resident – within 7-12 days, or via a separate decision by the Cabinet of Ministers within a year.
After approval from the State Export Control Service and the Inter-Agency Commission at the National Security and Defense Council, the company receives an export permit.
"This approach ensures dual levels of control – technical and security," the statement emphasizes.
The state maintains full oversight over the end users of Ukrainian weapons. The NSDC formulates and regularly updates a list of countries approved for arms supplies.
Initially, countries with which Ukraine has signed security agreements will be included in this list, ensuring that exports occur only within verified partnership relationships. No unit of Ukrainian weaponry can be resold without Ukraine's consent, with post-export control in place, including involvement from intelligence agencies.
"The priority is the front line. If the Armed Forces urgently require this weaponry, the export permit may be suspended or revoked," the participants of the meeting underscored.