Марія Бровінська Weapon 10 February 2026, 12:14

"We will not export any product if it could affect the supply of our army." Are Ukrainian manufacturers of weapons and defense-tech solutions ready for sales abroad, and what risks do they see in this?

For the first time since the start of a full-scale war, Ukraine has publicly spoken about exporting its own weapons. But behind the political statements lies a more complex question: is the industry itself ready for this, from UAV and electronic warfare manufacturers to teams developing software solutions for the battlefield?

Defence-tech in Ukraine has grown tenfold in two years: startups have scaled into production, software into combat systems, and «garage» solutions have become part of the defense circuit. At the same time, export is not only about state permission, but also about certification, compliance, intellectual property protection, supply chain control, and responsibility for the end user.

dev.ua found out to what extent Ukrainian manufacturers of weapons and military IT solutions are really ready to enter foreign markets, what barriers remain key — and what could become a stopping factor even with the presence of political will.

Is Ukrainian defense tech ready for export?

After statements about the possible opening of Ukrainian arms exports, the issue of the readiness of defense-tech companies has moved from the backstage to the public sphere. It is not only about sales, but also about the balance between the needs of the Defense Forces, R&D development, and the role of the state in controlling the arms trade.

Defense-tech companies surveyed by dev.ua speak of readiness to export not as a business opportunity, but as a structural necessity for the survival and development of the industry.

The company «General Chereshnya» emphasizes that without controlled exports it is impossible to scale production, plan R&D for years ahead and attract long-term investments. «Defense-tech in Ukraine has actually become a separate IT industry with high added value. Controlled exports are a way to turn combat experience into a sustainable economic model that simultaneously strengthens the Defense Forces,» the company notes. «General Chereshnya» considers exports as a critically important factor in the development of the entire defense industry, especially in conditions of limited domestic market capacity.

BlueBird Tech also emphasizes that technical readiness for export is already there: the solutions are combat-tested, quickly adaptable and competitive on the global market. At the same time, the company fundamentally does not consider export as an alternative to providing the front. «The internal needs of the Defense Forces of Ukraine always remain an absolute priority for us. We will not export any product if it may affect the provision of our army,» notes BlueBird Tech co-founder Valery Zarubin.

Frontline Robotics also emphasizes that the Ukrainian market and the front remain an absolute priority. At the same time, the company views exports as a tool for scaling production and R&D development, but not in the format of classic sales of finished weapons.

Risks: not technological, but systemic

Manufacturers are unanimous: the key risks of exports lie in the area of regulation, not product quality.

The biggest concern is the potential for manual decision-making. According to industry representatives, the lack of clear criteria for export approval could erode investor confidence and encourage «gray» practices.

The second risk is excessive bureaucracy, which will make exports formally permitted but practically unattainable. In this case, Ukrainian companies will lose out to manufacturers from countries where the export of defense technologies has long been part of state policy.

A separate challenge is NATO certification and standards. Many Ukrainian solutions were created as quickly as possible, for specific combat missions, with constant adaptation to the enemy’s tactics. This makes them effective on the front, but not always formally ready for foreign markets without state support in standardization and legal support.

What export mechanism do manufacturers see?

Manufacturers support the export model with full state control — from licensing to the end consumer.

«General Chereshnya» describes a possible algorithm as follows: companies that have surplus products or technologies that are not currently critical for the Defense Forces submit an application to the State Service for Export Control. Interdepartmental verification takes place for up to 90 days, including checking the needs of the Ministry of Defense and approval at the level of the Interdepartmental Commission under the National Security and Defense Council.

At the same time, the state reserves the right to revoke the export permit if the relevant products are urgently needed by the military. According to open data and public statements by the National Security and Defense Council, the first real export contracts may appear no earlier than the second half of 2026.

In turn, Frontline Robotics demonstrates an alternative model — the export of technologies and components with the production of finished products abroad within the framework of state initiatives, which allows minimizing the risks of arms trade and maintaining a focus on the needs of Ukraine.

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