9 out of 10 Ukrainian Defense Firms Get Global Cooperation Requests

Global demand for Ukraine’s combat-proven weaponry is surging as 90% of Ukrainian def-tech companies have received proposals to cooperate, a new survey shows. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied (Photo by Tech Force in UA) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google An April 2026 survey by the Technological Forces of Ukraine (TFU) shows that 90% of the interviewed Ukrainian defense companies received requests for international cooperation in Q1 of 2026.  TFU polled 42 defense industry firms. Among those requesting cooperation, the US leads with 36% of the companies having received American inquiries, followed by Germany (29%) and Denmark (21%). Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Ukraine has become an innovator in defense tech, as the full-scale invasion by Russia has forced the domestic defense sector to develop and test weapons on the battlefield . This has transformed Ukrainian equipment from local solutions into highly sought-after assets for international militaries looking to modernize their own arsenals. The interest extends beyond NATO members and the EU, with the UAE contacting 19% of the companies. The  UK, at 17%, rounded out the top five countries seeking partnerships with Ukrainian manufacturers.  “Countries showing high interest in Ukrainian weapons are considered priority markets for cooperation,” Anastasiia Mishkina, Executive Director of TFU, said through a press release . She emphasized that the key challenge remains opening access to these predefined markets. While export remains the dominant goal for 79% of surveyed companies, the industry is shifting toward deeper international integration: 64% of firms are looking to establish joint ventures, 43% are open to exporting their technologies. Other Topics of Interest ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 22, 2026 Latest from the Institute for the Study of War. Manufacturers are calling on the state to simplify procedures (64% of respondents), shorten procedure timelines (50%), and ensure transparent regulation (42%) because it slows down international trade.  Rather than new tools, the defense business is seeking an efficient and predictable export control system. Companies noted that even the basic approval of licenses would be sufficient, provided the process is fast and transparent. Mariіa Boltryk has been a journalist since 2022 and has been working for Ukraine's leading news agency Interfax-Ukraine. At Kyiv Post, she covers macroeconomics in Ukraine and business-related topics.