Publication

This bulletin examines the Ukrainian defense industry and contends that while it has the potential to boost economic growth in the country, it requires a thorough overhaul and modernization to do so. The author argues that although Ukraine was ranked the eighth largest arms exporter prior to the crisis that struck the country in 2011, as of 2015 the domestic defense industry has only been able to meet approximately 30 percent of the Ukrainian army's needs. She then suggests that this decline is mainly due to the extent to which Ukraine is dependent on Russian companies for supplies. Finally, she examines Ukraine's attempts at defense industry reform and suggests that to reduce ties with Russia, Kyiv should cooperate more with NATO countries.