The development of Ukrainian defense technologies today encompasses three key dimensions: security, economic, and political.
This was stated by Anna Gvozdiar, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, during the discussion “Defence Tech: The New Arms Race” at the Kyiv International Economic Forum, where representatives of Ukrainian defense companies, scientists, and military officials discussed Ukraine’s role in transforming the global arms market.
“All our technologies are created to protect people and assist the military. It is a rapid innovation cycle actively supported by Ukrainian manufacturers. The first goal is to equip the armed forces. The second is to maintain economic stability, in particular through localized production. The third is to strengthen Ukraine’s political agency as an equal partner on the global security map,” said Hvozdiyar.
According to her, Ukrainian developers respond quickly to frontline needs, and new financial instruments, including the SAFE program and the “Danish model,” demonstrate growing trust from international partners in Ukrainian production. Domestic defense technologies have already changed Ukraine’s role in the international community. The country has become not only a recipient of assistance and a testing ground but also a source of technological solutions recognized worldwide.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that the President’s decision to launch controlled exports of Ukrainian weapons opens new opportunities for investment in the domestic defense industry, expands sales markets, and creates conditions for attracting foreign investors. The Ministry of Defense, together with other ministries and the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), is currently developing a mechanism to ensure clear and safe rules for controlled exports for all participants.
“Ukraine has become a driver of change in the global defense industry. We have created an open, flexible system where even small manufacturers can produce weapons that genuinely change the situation on the frontline. Today, not only do we follow global standards, but the world also looks to Ukraine’s unique experience,” concluded the Deputy Minister of Defense.
