NAUDI calls on the Verkhovna Rada to return the “Defence City” bill for revision

The National Association of the Defense Industry of Ukraine (NAUDI) calls on people’s deputies to return the bills on the creation of a special “Defense City” regime for revision.

This is stated in an open letter from NAUDI.

The report states that NAUDI unites more than 100 leading defense industry enterprises, which in 2024 sold a variety of products worth more than 120 billion hryvnias – ammunition, drones, artillery systems, electronic warfare systems, armored vehicles and missile components, making a significant contribution not only to defense capability, but also to the economy of Ukraine as a whole – creating jobs, paying taxes and creating new weapons at their own expense.

NAUDI enterprises supported legislative initiatives to create “Defense City”, providing a number of comments – with the assurance of legislators to hear the industry’s position. Despite the numerous recommendations provided, the restrictions for defense industry enterprises to join remained the same.

“The current version of the bill will not allow enterprises whose 100% of activities are directly aimed at meeting the needs of the Defense Forces of Ukraine to become residents of “Defense City” – enterprises that have already been recognized as strategic. Companies outside the list will be forced to work in worse conditions: without tax incentives, under great pressure, and not more expensive.” industry, but on the contrary, harms it. The law should work not for “selected” enterprises, but to strengthen the entire defense industry of Ukraine,” the statement of the defense-industrial association states.