Ukraine to Launch Defense Exports Under ‘Build with Ukraine’ Program
On June 20, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Build with Ukraine, a new initiative to export Ukrainian defense technologies. Here’s what is currently known about the program.
- According to Zelenskyy, the first contracts are expected to be signed this summer. They will establish production lines for drones, missiles, and potentially artillery systems in Europe. The weapons produced at these facilities will be supplied to both Ukraine and partner nations.
- Danylo Hetmantsev, head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax, and Customs Policy, provided further details about the initiative. He stated that preliminary agreements have already been reached with several countries, including Denmark, Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Lithuania.
«At the last Ramstein meeting, a proposal was introduced whereby international partners would fund the creation and launch of Ukrainian-designed weapons production in various formats,» Hetmantsev said.
Earlier, Lithuania expressed interest in scaling up the production of Ukrainian naval drones. Under a proposed «1+1» model, one drone would be delivered to Ukraine free of charge, while the second would remain in Lithuania to strengthen its own defense capabilities.
«These jointly produced weapons can be used by both us and our partners,» Hetmantsev added. «But during wartime, the priority is to supply everything to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.»
- He noted that this approach would complement the established «Danish model» of investing in Ukraine’s defense sector. Denmark has already committed €1.3 billion in funding for Ukrainian defense enterprises this year. The program is also expected to streamline access to foreign components used in domestic military developments.
- Hetmantsev emphasized that Build with Ukraine could open doors for collaboration with countries that have been hesitant to invest directly in Ukraine during the war.
«Entering foreign markets with our technologies means not only integrating into the broader European defense space but also gaining additional opportunities to enhance them alongside strategic partners. We’ve already secured $43 billion this year for Ukraine’s defense industry, and efforts to boost that funding will only intensify,» he said.
As a reminder, Hetmantsev has long advocated for allowing Ukrainian manufacturers to export weapons abroad. In May, he announced a package of regulatory measures aimed at properly formalizing this export regime.
Ukraine to Launch Defense Exports Under ‘Build with Ukraine’ Program
On June 20, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Build with Ukraine, a new initiative to export Ukrainian defense technologies. Here’s what is currently known about the program.
- According to Zelenskyy, the first contracts are expected to be signed this summer. They will establish production lines for drones, missiles, and potentially artillery systems in Europe. The weapons produced at these facilities will be supplied to both Ukraine and partner nations.
- Danylo Hetmantsev, head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax, and Customs Policy, provided further details about the initiative. He stated that preliminary agreements have already been reached with several countries, including Denmark, Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Lithuania.
«At the last Ramstein meeting, a proposal was introduced whereby international partners would fund the creation and launch of Ukrainian-designed weapons production in various formats,» Hetmantsev said.
Earlier, Lithuania expressed interest in scaling up the production of Ukrainian naval drones. Under a proposed «1+1» model, one drone would be delivered to Ukraine free of charge, while the second would remain in Lithuania to strengthen its own defense capabilities.
«These jointly produced weapons can be used by both us and our partners,» Hetmantsev added. «But during wartime, the priority is to supply everything to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.»
- He noted that this approach would complement the established «Danish model» of investing in Ukraine’s defense sector. Denmark has already committed €1.3 billion in funding for Ukrainian defense enterprises this year. The program is also expected to streamline access to foreign components used in domestic military developments.
- Hetmantsev emphasized that Build with Ukraine could open doors for collaboration with countries that have been hesitant to invest directly in Ukraine during the war.
«Entering foreign markets with our technologies means not only integrating into the broader European defense space but also gaining additional opportunities to enhance them alongside strategic partners. We’ve already secured $43 billion this year for Ukraine’s defense industry, and efforts to boost that funding will only intensify,» he said.
As a reminder, Hetmantsev has long advocated for allowing Ukrainian manufacturers to export weapons abroad. In May, he announced a package of regulatory measures aimed at properly formalizing this export regime.
