Ukraine is preparing to export weapons: Zelenskyy reveals the first details
Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on his Telegram channel.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the export of Ukrainian weapons could become a reality in the near future.
According to the president, on 28 April he held an extended meeting on key issues regarding the export of Ukrainian arms.
Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukrainian security expertise and weapons, tested in modern warfare, are of interest to partners who wish to ensure a real level of protection for statehood and people’s lives.
The President announced that Ukraine has offered its partners, who are assisting the state, a special cooperation format called Drone Deals.
“We have proposed a special cooperation format called ‘Drone Deals’ to partners assisting Ukraine – special agreements on the production and supply of our drones, missiles, shells and other desired types of weapons, military equipment, software, integration with partners’ defence systems, as well as the provision of our expertise and the technological exchange Ukraine needs,” Zelenskyy noted.
The President also addressed the issue of export security.
He instructed the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the intelligence services and the SBU, to draw up a list of countries to which the export of Ukrainian weapons will be impossible due to their cooperation with the aggressor state.
“This is a serious challenge – to prevent our technologies and weapons from falling into Russian hands,” said Zelenskyy.
According to the head of state, the National Security and Defence Council will coordinate export processes.
The National Security and Defence Council must also ensure that the needs of Ukraine’s defence and security forces are met first and foremost.
Only surplus stock – that which manufacturers can produce in excess of the state order in Ukraine – should be exported, the president said.
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the General Staff will determine the Defence Forces’ requirements.
Zelenskyy also instructed government officials and the NSDC to provide the public with the necessary information regarding the details of the Ukrainian arms export process.
A debate is ongoing in Ukraine regarding the advisability of opening up arms exports during wartime.
The state insists on strict controls, whilst manufacturers warn that due to bureaucracy and delays, Ukraine could lose its position in the international arms market.
Oleksandr Savchenko, Rector of the International Institute of Business, stated on Channel 24 that export restrictions are holding back the development of the defence industry.
According to him, if production is focused solely on the domestic market, it scales up more slowly and has fewer resources for growth.
At the same time, the expert believes that arms exports ensure higher profitability and allow funds to be reinvested in the development of production.
Zelenskyy had previously announced the creation of 10 Ukrainian arms export centres in Europe.
According to the president, drones are already being manufactured jointly with Germany, the UK, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Ukraine has discussed specific timelines with France and signed letters of intent with Romania.
According to Zelenskyy, similar agreements are in place with a number of other countries.
The president also stated that Ukraine had proposed a unique arms export deal to the United States – the so-called Drone Deal.
Furthermore, Ukraine has signed 10-year agreements with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
As reported by ThePublic, how many weapons do Ukrainians have: the National Police have released the figures (document)
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