Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Friday plans to begin controlled exports of certain Ukrainian weapons to help finance domestic arms production.

Speaking in his evening address, Zelenskyy said that while priority remains supplying frontline units and maintaining national stockpiles, surplus modern weapons – such as sea drones and some anti-tank systems – could be exported under strict controls.

Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine can produce certain modern weapons in far greater quantities than it can currently fund on its own, while some types of arms are already in surplus relative to the country’s immediate needs.

He emphasized that exports will be for allied countries with verified interest in supporting Ukraine, while preventing technology from reaching Russian forces or their collaborators.

Ukrainian forces, companies, and the army possess extensive experience in modern warfare, particularly in operating advanced weapons and cutting-edge technologies, the president highlighted.

Within two weeks, Ukraine plans to present three export platforms: one for the US, one for European partners, and one for other international allies.

Zelenskyy said the initiative will allow Ukrainian manufacturers to expand production, particularly of drones needed at the front, while covering funding gaps in domestic defense production.

He also indicated that there is strong international interest in collaborative weapons production with Ukraine, and that demand for Ukrainian arms is clear.

“First priority is the front, supplying our brigades. Second is our national arsenals. Only third comes controlled exports,” Zelenskyy said. He stressed that exports are not meant as “weapons charity,” but as a strategic tool to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

Denmark will invest approximately 1.4 billion euros ($1.6 bn) in Ukrainian defense companies this year under the so-called “Danish model,” European Pravda reported on 29 August.

Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced this figure while advocating for expanded implementation of the financing mechanism.

The Danish model involves allied nations funding weapons production needed by Ukraine through Ukrainian enterprises rather than purchasing from their own defense contractors. According to Poulsen, Denmark allocated 600 million euros ($702 mn) in such contracts last year.

“Ukrainian defense industry works very quickly compared to European companies. They can do this in months, not years. And secondly, it is financially efficient,” Poulsen said.

The minister expressed optimism about broader international adoption of this support format. “Today we heard a lot of words of support for doing more through the ‘Danish model,’ so I’m pleased to see that,” he added.

Poulsen emphasized Ukraine’s continued need for increased military assistance, describing it as an urgent requirement. 

The Danish approach represents a shift from traditional military aid models. Instead of donating existing weapons or purchasing equipment from Western manufacturers, participating countries finance production contracts directly with Ukrainian defense firms.

Former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov indicated in June that assistance to Ukraine under the Danish model would reach 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 bn) in 2025. Ukraine regularly calls on partners to increase investments in its defense industrial complex.

The model allows Ukraine to scale up domestic production capabilities while providing allies with a potentially more cost-effective means of supporting Ukrainian defense needs. Danish officials cite the speed of Ukrainian manufacturers as a significant advantage over European alternatives.