Ukraine’s bid to build weapons in the EU gains ground, but slowly

European demand for Ukrainian drone tech is surging after the war on Iran highlighted the need for defense autonomy. While EU firms are eager for joint production, progress is stalled by a lack of roadmaps and the need for Ukrainian government export clearance.

"The liberalization of exports is a big chance for Ukraine’s defense industry to take its place in the global defense-industrial complex," Mykyta Rozhkov, head of business development for Frontline Robotics, told the Kyiv Independent. "We’re trying to make the process more transparent so other companies can understand how to act."

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