Ukraine has begun building an arms export industry after years of wartime restrictions, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, outlining plans to open up to 10 Ukrainian defence export centres across Europe by 2026 as Kyiv seeks to commercialise battlefield technologies and attract foreign investment, reported Ukraine Business News.

Zelenskiy said Ukrainian export representative offices would be established in northern Europe and the Baltic states, while production of Ukrainian-designed drones would start in Germany by mid-February 2026, with a full production line to be deployed there. Ukrainian drone production lines are already operating in Britain, he added, stressing that all projects are based on Ukrainian technologies.

Drone manufacturing has become Ukraine’s largest industrial sector during the war, according to the president. He said around 450 Ukrainian companies are now involved in producing unmanned aerial vehicles, with 40 to 50 regarded as leading manufacturers. “Everyone wants to invest, so 2026 will be a year of investments in our technologies, primarily in drones,” Zelenskiy said.

Separately, Ukraine is deepening defence cooperation with France. Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Kyiv and Paris had signed a letter of intent on joint weapons production following talks with French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin. The discussions included preparations for transferring Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine, accelerating aircraft deliveries and expanding supplies of AASM Hammer guided bombs.

Ukraine is also seeking additional SAMP/T, Mistral and Crotale air defence systems and working with France on missile and electronic warfare projects. Zelenskiy said Ukraine expects agreements with partners to eventually bolster its air force with Swedish Gripen and French Rafale aircraft, though timelines and delivery terms were not disclosed.