Ukraine’s $6.8 Billion Defense Industry Is Falling Through the Cracks

More than 400 defense companies are urging the Ukrainian government to centralize control over the country’s weapons sector. In a joint appeal, the firms are asking Kyiv to create a single state body with real authority over the industry, which is currently worth an estimated $6.8 billion. The request comes one year after Ukraine’s strategic-industries ministry was absorbed into the Defense Ministry. According to the sector’s own council, responsibility for defense production is now scattered across at least half a dozen separate agencies. This fragmentation, the companies argue, slows down decision-making and weakens oversight. The firms want one clear command center. They say a dedicated agency would streamline contracts, cut bureaucracy, and give the industry a single point of accountability. Without it, they warn, Ukraine risks losing momentum in its effort to build up domestic arms production. The proposal is now with the government, but no official response has been made public. The outcome will likely shape how Ukraine manages its defense supply chain in the months ahead.