A senior Ukrainian official has stated that Kyiv anticipates generating billions of dollars in revenue from weapon exports this year. This initiative follows a suspension of all arms sales after the 2022 conflict escalation.

David Aloian, deputy secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, explained that local arms producers have been authorized to make export deals and the government plans to implement an export tax on their profits. The official noted that a state commission has approved dozens of licenses for arms manufacturers, with none involving “ready-to-use” weapons.

In recent remarks, Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed concern over European donors’ slow progress in funding a scheme to purchase U.S.-made military equipment. By late December, Western nations had committed $4.3 billion under this plan, but he characterized the pace as insufficient.

Kyiv’s decision to permit domestic arms industries to sell products to Western allies—including Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Nordic countries—has raised significant concerns. According to Aloian, the export potential amounts to several billion dollars, potentially exceeding pre-conflict levels.

Earlier this month, President Zelensky announced plans to establish nearly a dozen weapons export centers across Europe, with naval drones and anti-tank weapons among the initial offerings. Mali’s Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga has accused Kyiv of supplying kamikaze drones to terrorist groups.