Executive Director of the Technological Forces of Ukraine, Kateryna Mykhalko, considers the possible participation of a special exporter monopolist in the process of controlled arms exports to be the greatest risk for the industry.
Executive Director of the Technological Forces of Ukraine, Kateryna Mykhalko, considers the possible participation of a special exporter monopolist in the process of controlled arms exports to be the greatest risk for the industry.
«How do special exporters, even if they are established by the state, differ from a state regulator? The regulator interprets the rules of the game based on international norms, rules and agreements of Ukraine. The intermediary, the so-called special exporter, takes a commission and a percentage of the transaction. Thus, he, in fact, has his own financial interest in this topic,» she explained during the event «What awaits the drone industry? Scenarios for 2026.»
According to Kateryna Mykhalko, if Ukrainian society allows a monopoly of a certain special exporter on the arms export market, this will not comply with the practices of the European Union and will have significant negative consequences.
«We are talking about international markets and Ukraine has no right to make a mistake here. Because if we build a system that will not inspire trust in the European Union, then we will forever lose Ukraine’s historic chance to become part of the security framework of the European Union and NATO countries,» the head of the TSU concluded.
In this context, she called on both civil society and anti-corruption authorities to pay attention to this issue.
«Any intermediaries, and especially if these intermediaries imply the absence of the right of a private company to work directly with international markets, are a risk for our industry,» Mykhalko states.
She is convinced that key issues of arms exports should be resolved by the regulator, the State Service for Export Control. In addition, according to her, it is necessary to resume the work of the Interdepartmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation Policy and Export Control as soon as possible. «These bodies should have determined the export policy, which was actually agreed with European partners,» the head of the State Service for Export Control noted.
Mykhalko also commented on the thesis that weapons that are «in surplus» are planned for export, casting doubt on this criterion.
«Honestly, the surplus should be confirmed by the General Staff and the military, who form the needs. In my opinion, it is very unlikely that the military will be able to declare that they have enough drones. Because they do not have enough drones — that is a fact,» she summed up.
As dev.ua wrote, more than half of the defense enterprises that are members of the TSU are planning to relocate abroad or have already done so.
President Zelensky estimated the potential of Ukrainian drone and missile production at $35 billion.
Earlier, Zelensky also announced the opening of Ukrainian arms exports along three tracks, adding that Ukraine would not engage in «armed charity» and would not help those «who do not care about Ukraine.»
