Heavy machinery
Heavy engineering is an important segment of Ukrainian industry, providing equipment for the energy, metallurgy and mining sectors. The main production centres are located in Dnipropetrovska, Kharkivska and Zaporizka oblasts, which is currently negatively affecting the sector due to active hostilities and ᵣussia terrorist attacks.
In 2023, global production of automated machinery reached 302.3 billion USD, with an expected increase to 569.9 billion USD by 2032. Ukraine exports machine-building products mainly to the EU, Asia, and the Middle East, and exports in 2023 increased by 10% year-on-year, which gives hope for a gradual recovery of the sector.
Despite the growth, the industry faces a number of challenges: logistical difficulties, limited access to finance, a shortage of qualified personnel, and complex licensing procedures. Every year, Ukrainian higher education institutions graduate about 10,000 mechanical engineering specialists, but a significant number of them go abroad.
Key development opportunities include the modernization of production lines, automation, the introduction of AI, IoT and robotics technologies, and the privatization of large state-owned enterprises. The industry has a strong raw material base, developed metallurgy and transportation infrastructure, which allows it to work efficiently for export.
Government support in the form of tax incentives, subsidies, and investments in modernization are critical to ensure the sector’s long-term competitiveness.
