Anna Gvozdiar is returning to the position of Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine and will continue to oversee the development of Ukraine’s defence industry and defence exports. The decision was adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
“Our task is to accelerate the development of Ukraine’s defence industry, increase the production of effective Ukrainian-made weapons, and create more opportunities for manufacturers. Anna Gvozdiar knows the industry, its needs, and the mechanisms of state support well. Her return will strengthen the team, help scale up the instruments already in place more quickly, and enable us to introduce new solutions for Ukraine’s defence industry,” stated Minister of Defence of Ukraine Evgeniy Khmara.
Following personnel changes in early 2026, Anna Gvozdiar continued working on the development of the defence industry as Adviser to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine. Her work remained focused on scaling up production, financing, international cooperation and exports.
Key results
International cooperation. A one-stop-shop model is being developed to facilitate cooperation between Ukraine’s defence industry, international partners and manufacturers. Following the EU–Ukraine Defence Industry Forum, new opportunities were opened for Ukrainian companies to participate in EU programmes, and a €300 million support instrument for Ukraine’s defence industry was launched.
Financing. Ukrainian manufacturers have received preferential loans worth more than UAH 10 billion. A preferential financial leasing programme has also been launched, providing up to UAH 500 million for equipment, vehicles, production facilities and other assets at an effective interest rate of 5% per annum.
Defence City. The special legal regime already brings together more than 50 residents and provides tax and customs incentives, protection of sensitive information, and additional opportunities for the development of defence companies.
Protected production facilities. Work is ongoing to develop mechanisms for establishing underground and other protected production facilities with private investment.
People and education. Programmes are being developed to support veterans’ employment in the defence industry and to train professionals for the sector. In July, more than 60 representatives of defence companies took part in a dedicated HR training programme. Through Defence Expo Day, Ukrainian defence technologies have already been showcased to 1,400 university students and 600 school students.
Smart Force Academy. The first year-long programme cycle, implemented jointly with KSE, brought together 385 representatives of 199 defence companies — nearly 20% of the sector. Smart Force Academy 2.0 will launch this autumn, focusing on the systematic scaling of defence companies.
ZBROYA. Work continues to develop ZBROYA as a platform for Ukraine’s defence industry — strengthening the visibility of manufacturers, facilitating international cooperation, and expanding companies’ access to new opportunities.
Anna Gvozdiar has been working on the development of Ukraine’s defence industry at the government level since 2023. In September 2023, she was appointed Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine; in July 2025, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine; and in early 2026, she continued her work as Adviser to the Minister of Defence.
Strategic priorities
As Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Anna Gvozdiar will continue working to scale up Ukraine’s defence industry, develop financial instruments and protected production facilities, and strengthen international cooperation and defence exports.
The key priority is to translate the state support mechanisms already in place into greater production capacity, stronger Ukrainian companies, and more advanced Ukrainian-made weapons for the Defence Forces of Ukraine.