Ukraine expects 36 Gripen fighter jets equipped with long-range Meteor missiles. The new weaponry will help drive back Russian aircraft and reduce strikes by guided aerial bombs (KABs).
A shortage of jet fuel has emerged due to the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Airlines are canceling flights en masse and raising ticket prices.
Airlines are cutting flights due to a doubling of fuel prices. However, this will not stop the oil crisis without a reduction in consumption in other sectors.
The special regime of Defence City faces low demand due to audit and criminal case requirements. Experts call for urgent changes in laws.
Economist Bohdan Dolintse stated that Defence City has significant advantages but is not a universal solution for all market players. He highlighted the lack of incentives for production localization and formal barriers for potential residents.
The return of tax preferences for the aviation industry, which were in effect until 2024, can bring the state 55 billion hryvnias in tax revenues over 10 years. This will also stimulate the development of a strategic industry that is currently on the verge of survival.
The Defence City initiative is designed to restart the defense industry, but the aviation industry, which is an economic driver, is only partially taken into account. Its development requires separate targeted support mechanisms.
The Ukrainian government presented 12 priorities for 2026, with security and defense being key. The Defence City initiative and cooperation with global companies Rheinmetall, BAE Systems are important directions.
