Chairman of the National Association of Defense Industries of Ukraine (NAUDI) Serhiy Pashinsky said that Kyiv looks to Saudi Arabia to help achieve peace and stability in Ukraine, given its role as an “important and authoritative regional leader.”
In an interview with Asharq al-Awsat, he said: “We aim to develop concrete plans for the renewal and further expansion of Ukrainian-Saudi defense cooperation in the near future.”
He made the remarks during NAUDI’s participation in the 2026 World Defense Show in Riyadh.
“We are open to exploring opportunities for the establishment of joint ventures, the development of specific technologies and the localization of production within Saudi Arabian territory. We are ready to deepen the cooperation that has been actively developing since 2014,” Pashinsky said.
“Our participation in the World Defense Show 2026 has a clear purpose: to demonstrate the technological capabilities of the Ukrainian defense sector, which have been tested in real times during wartime. At the joint NAUDI booth we will present the latest developments with confirmed combat experience, share practical insights on their operational use and discuss operational tactics.”
“Currently, the association’s member companies have already signed dozens of international agreements in the form of industrial cooperation, and the geography of our partnership continues to expand. This is exactly the message we are trying to convey to our international and regional partners,” he said.
Saudi-Ukrainian military cooperation
Regarding military cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Ukraine, he said: “Prior to the full-scale invasion, there was active and effective cooperation between the Ukrainian defense industrial complex and Saudi defense institutions and companies.”
“We are interested in restoring these relations. In line with the position of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy regarding export controls, we aim to develop concrete plans for the renewal and further expansion of Ukrainian-Saudi defense cooperation in the near future,” he continued.
Pashinsky further revealed that the official intergovernmental agreement between the Ukrainian and Saudi governments on cooperation in the field of defense was signed in Kyiv on February 5, 2020 and formally approved by their respective governments.
“This agreement establishes a comprehensive legal framework for bilateral defense exchanges. The agreement covers issues related to cooperation between the defense industries of the two countries, military education and human resource development, information exchange in the field of defense technology, transfer of certain military technology and equipment, including electronic, radar and communication systems, and defense medical support.”
“Ukraine highly values Saudi Arabia’s principled and consistent position, which is based on unwavering respect for the provisions of the United Nations Charter and the fundamental principles of international law, especially with regard to ensuring territorial integrity and protecting national sovereignty,” it added.
“An important moral and humanitarian element in Ukraine-Saudi relations is Saudi Arabia’s sincere solidarity with the Ukrainian people, which is reflected in the humanitarian assistance provided, especially to support internally displaced persons,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Ukrainian products at the World Defense Show
Elaborating on the Ukrainian products exhibited at the World Defense Show, Pashinsky said, “NAUDI member companies produce all kinds of defense products, from 7-inch FPV drones to Bodana self-propelled artillery systems, which are physically displayed at the exhibition.”
“Ukraine has become a world pioneer in the mass combat use of FPV drones and in the development and deployment of unmanned maritime platforms. We have unique and invaluable experience in operating these systems under real combat conditions,” he stressed. “The private sector accounts for more than 70% of Ukraine’s total defense industrial product.”
Among the main exhibits is the Bodana self-propelled howitzer, which was manufactured in large quantities by the Ukrainian Armor company and was actively used in combat operations. Valta armored vehicle. Protector unmanned ground system. MAC maritime drone. Reconnaissance UAVs Shark, PD-2, Mini Shark, and Furia. Crechet air defense command and control system. Large drones Kazan and Shumavik. UAV ammunition manufactured by UBM. FPV drone made by General Cherry. and an electronic warfare system developed by Piranya Tech.
protect life
Pashinsky revealed that currently more than 50% of the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are met by the domestic defense-industrial complex, from FPV drones to cruise missiles, 155mm artillery systems, ammunition, electronic warfare (EW) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) systems.
“According to last year’s results, NAUDI member companies supplied the Armed Forces with products worth around 4 billion euros,” he said. “Since 2022, the industry has undergone large-scale relocation and deployment of new production facilities. Today, without exaggeration, Ukraine is one of the countries that leads the world in the pace of production of weapons and ammunition.”
“Our top priority is to protect the lives of our service members, which is why there is particular emphasis on unmanned systems that increase soldier efficiency without having to replace them,” he continued.
“The main advantage is the direct connection with front-line departments, which allows manufacturers to receive real-time feedback and quickly modernize their solutions. Whereas in other countries the R&D process can take several years, for Ukrainian companies the path from concept to mass production is often just three to six months.”
“These are not isolated cases, as some companies are increasing production of FPV drones from a few thousand units in 2023 to more than 500,000 units in 2025,” Pashinski revealed.
