While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had signaled earlier this year that such exports would be allowed, the official procedure to do so was not clearly spelled out by the government and was largely non-existent, meaning companies found it difficult to sign contracts in practice and exports remained restricted.

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Wednesday the new rules establish a single, transparent framework for the government, manufacturers and international partners.

Under the mechanism, only partner countries that have signed drone deals with Kyiv will be allowed to purchase Ukrainian-made defense tech, drones and other weapons through direct contracts with Ukrainian manufacturers. Ukraine’s foreign ministry will determine which partner countries are eligible to participate in wartime export deals.

Manufacturers seeking export contracts worth 15 million hryvnias (about €294,000) or more will have to submit applications for government review, a process that should take no longer than 30 days.

The defense ministry will also draw up a list of critical items that cannot be exported because they are needed for Ukraine’s own defense against Russia’s invasion. Exports of surplus or non-critical equipment will be allowed. Products such as Ukraine’s low-cost interceptor drones may also be exported, provided manufacturers can guarantee they can fully meet the Ukrainian military’s needs.

“Ukrainian technologies will remain protected by the state. Transfers will take place without the assignment of intellectual property rights, and any re-export or transfer to third parties will require Ukraine’s prior written consent,” Fedorov said in a written statement.