Ukraine Launches Controlled Arms Exports

On 10 February 2026, the President of Ukraine approved the individual members of the Interdepartmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation and Export Control (the "Commission”), chaired by the First Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, Yevhenii Ostrianskyi, with 17 members in total. The Commission has already commenced its work and approved the issuance of the first export licences to Ukrainian enterprises.

For Ukrainian manufacturers, this represents not only an opportunity for direct sales abroad but also opens a pathway to international projects, including the establishment of joint ventures in partner countries using Ukrainian technologies.

The resumption of the Commission’s work does not alter the general arms export procedure. As before, such exports require registration of the exporter with the State Export Control Service of Ukraine, certification of the internal export control system, obtaining the relevant authorisations, and compliance with other established procedures.

The key significance of the Commission resuming its operations lies in the opening of exports of defence goods and technologies, as well as certain categories of dual-use goods, which were previously impossible without the Commission’s approval.

Beyond procedural aspects, the prospects for obtaining an export licence depend on the nature and complexity of the specific export transaction. A key factor will be the impact of the deal on defence capability: the state will not permit exports that could create a shortage for the needs of the Ukraine’s armed forces. Equally significant attention will be paid to the country of destination and the end user’s reputation.

In parallel, Ukraine plans to open ten defence export centres across Europe – primarily in Central and Northern Europe, as well as in the Baltic states. For manufacturers, this means a permanent presence in the international market and direct access to potential clients and partners.

At the same time, it is important to understand that the export centres do not create a separate or simplified export mechanism. Any supplies of defence products and technology transfers require completion of the export control procedure in Ukraine.

The resumption of the Commission’s operations and the establishment of export centres abroad reflect Ukraine’s consistent policy aimed at a genuine launch of controlled arms exports without compromising its own defence capability. For Ukrainian manufacturers, this creates new long-awaited business opportunities and represents an important step towards full integration into the Western defence ecosystem.