Ukrainian defence firms resume exports

Ukraine could export several billion dollars of military goods and services this year after authorising its first wartime foreign sales and is considering introducing a tax on those exports, a senior Ukrainian defence official said.

- YULIIA DYSA

Earlier this month, the state commission handling related licences in wartime approved the majority of 40 applications from defence sector producers for exports of materiel and services, Davyd Aloian, deputy secretary of Kyiv’s National Security and Defence Council, told Reuters in an interview.

Ukraine halted weapons exports following Moscow’s February 2022 invasion and has relied heavily on partners’ arms supplies to defend itself against Russian forces.

At the same time, Kyiv poured resources into developing its armaments industry, particularly drones and missiles. Leveraging its vast battlefield experience, Ukraine has in recent years experienced a defence technology boom.

Asked about export potential for this year, Mr Aloian said: “Taking into account ready-made products, spare parts, components, and services that can be provided, it amounts to several billion dollars.”

Overall, the potential is “significantly higher” than prewar exports, he said.