Defense industry of Ukraine

[7] Russia's only aircraft carrier was also built in the Ukrainian SSR, as well as a number of other Russian military ships.

When Ukraine declared independence in 1991, the country had 1,840 defense enterprises and research centers that employed close to 2.7 million people.

[5] The lack of clear legislation resulted in an arms market where everyone earned whatever however they could, including in illegal schemes.

[8] Until 2011, the first place for Ukraine in terms of profitability was the sale of aircraft and the provision of services for its modernization and repair.

[5] In the first 9 months of 2014, Ukraine's defense sector produced a record ₴13 billion worth of goods, and the increase was largely due to government orders for the war in Donbas.

[4] According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Ukraine's share in the world arms market was 2.7% in 2009-2014 and in 2014-2018 1.3%.

[5] The structure of exports also changed: the main part was made up of high-tech products such as guided anti-tank missiles.

On 30 September 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a forum for 250 Western arms manufacturers, from 30 countries, in Kyiv.

I think it is a good time and place to create a large military hub,” The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry claimed that 20 agreements between Ukraine and Western companies have been signed already.

It employs more than one million people, produces advanced hardware, and designs and builds new military systems.