Ukraine is set to export its battle-tested weapons — particularly drones, missiles, and possibly artillery — to European allies and enable local production. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the launch of the “Build with Ukraine” program, where Kyiv will sign agreements this summer to open defense production lines in European partner countries and provide access to domestically made technologies.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the launch of the “Build with Ukraine” program, where Kyiv will sign agreements this summer to open defense production lines in European partner countries and provide access to domestically made technologies.
Countries that signalled interest included Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Norway, and the UK. Ukrainian defense exports may also expand to countries outside Europe that fund Kyiv’s drone or missile production.
Meanwhile, technology transfer to Russia and its sympathetic partners is off the table.
This initiative was started to reinforce Ukraine and its partner countries’ defense capabilities amid the country’s war with Russia and Moscow’s potential attack against NATO by 2030.
“Ukraine is a part of Europe’s security, and we want 0.25 percent of the GDP of a partner state to be allocated to our defense industry and domestic production next year,” Zelensky noted.
The Build with Ukraine program highlights Kyiv’s evolving role from a country heavily reliant on international military aid, including jets, missiles, and air defense systems, to an emerging partner contributing to Europe’s defense landscape.
It supports the EU’s push for strategic autonomy and more resilient supply chains, reducing dependency on foreign imports that may cause delays or excessively high costs amid heightening tensions around the world.
Additionally, European allies that are better equipped against security threats potentially reduce the burden on American military resources in future contingencies, Retired Chief Warrant Officer Joey Gagnard wrote on The Cipher Brief.
He further argued that the initiative could accelerate technological advancement as Ukrainian designs are integrated into local systems, as well as improve economic growth and stability due to growing investments in manufacturing infrastructure and job creation.
Countries that signalled interest included Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Norway, and the UK. Ukrainian defense exports may also expand to countries outside Europe that fund Kyiv’s drone or missile production.
Meanwhile, technology transfer to Russia and its sympathetic partners is off the table.
This initiative was started to reinforce Ukraine and its partner countries’ defense capabilities amid the country’s war with Russia and Moscow’s potential attack against NATO by 2030.
Build with Ukraine
In 2025, Ukraine’s defense industry, which now meets 40 percent of the armed forces’ needs, received a record $43 billion in domestic funding to ramp up production and capabilities.“Ukraine is a part of Europe’s security, and we want 0.25 percent of the GDP of a partner state to be allocated to our defense industry and domestic production next year,” Zelensky noted.
The Build with Ukraine program highlights Kyiv’s evolving role from a country heavily reliant on international military aid, including jets, missiles, and air defense systems, to an emerging partner contributing to Europe’s defense landscape.
It supports the EU’s push for strategic autonomy and more resilient supply chains, reducing dependency on foreign imports that may cause delays or excessively high costs amid heightening tensions around the world.
Additionally, European allies that are better equipped against security threats potentially reduce the burden on American military resources in future contingencies, Retired Chief Warrant Officer Joey Gagnard wrote on The Cipher Brief.
He further argued that the initiative could accelerate technological advancement as Ukrainian designs are integrated into local systems, as well as improve economic growth and stability due to growing investments in manufacturing infrastructure and job creation.
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