A Ukrainian accelerator is racing to get arms makers up to NATO standards and into Western defense deals Ukrainian soldiers prepare a drone for launch in the Kharkiv region. Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images Ukrainian startups are racing to meet NATO standards to unlock exports and overseas business. Europe and the Middle East are eyeing Ukraine's battle-tested defense tech. A Ukrainian accelerator is preparing firms for certification and coproduction. Ukrainian arms makers are racing to align with NATO standards, aiming to unlock export and coproduction opportunities in the West, a company getting local startups ready told Business Insider. NATO countries are increasingly recognizing the value of Ukrainian defense technology , a shift that has been reinforced by the Iran war and rising demand for drone systems pioneered by Kyiv. Ukrainian firms have long been constrained in their ability to do business abroad, in part due to export restrictions.…