Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary, Rustem Umerov, announced that the initial contracts under the Drone Deal initiative are currently awaiting approval. This statement followed a meeting of the Commander-in-Chief’s Staff, where the implementation of controlled exports of Ukrainian defense products was discussed.
Umerov highlighted that all relevant entities—including the National Security and Defense Council, the Ministry of Defense, intelligence agencies, and military leadership—have reached a consensus on streamlining the process for obtaining export permits and reducing processing times.
“We are actively working on the practical implementation—specific contracts and projects—within the framework of the political agreements of the Drone Deal. The first contracts are already under review, and we expect more new partnerships by late May or early June,”
he stated via Telegram.
The Drone Deals encompass specialized agreements focused on the production and supply of Ukrainian drones, missiles, shells, and other essential weaponry, as well as military equipment, software, integration with partner defense systems, and the provision of expertise and necessary technological exchanges.
On April 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the country had finalized the details of weapon exports at the institutional level. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in conjunction with intelligence and security services, is tasked with identifying countries where Ukrainian arms exports are prohibited due to their cooperation with Russia. This measure aims to prevent Ukrainian technologies and weapon samples from falling into Russian hands.
On May 11, Zelensky mentioned that around 20 countries are currently engaged at various stages in the context of the Drone Deals.
According to the National Security and Defense Council, Ukraine issued its first export permits for arms in February, effectively reinstating a comprehensive mechanism for the controlled sale of defense products abroad. Projections from the Council suggest that by 2026, the Ukrainian defense industry could produce goods valued at approximately $55 billion, although domestic resources are insufficient to finance the entire volume.
Ukraine is moving forward with its Drone Deal initiative, with initial contracts under review as part of broader reforms in export controls for defense products. The government aims to enhance its defense capabilities while preventing sensitive technologies from reaching adversaries.