**Ukraine Allocated One-Third of Defense Budget to High-Tech Weapons**
The Ukrainian government has made a significant move in bolstering its defense capabilities by allocating one-third of its defense budget to the production of high-tech weaponry, including drones, electronic warfare systems, and missile technologies. This decision was announced by Hlib Kanievskyi, a procurement chief at the Defense Ministry, on April 21.
**A New Era in Defense Procurement**
According to Kanievskyi, defense procurement is no longer just about meeting the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It has become a powerful driver for the development of Ukraine’s technology sector, particularly in areas such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), electronic warfare, and missile technology.
**Embracing Innovation**
Since the start of the full-scale invasion by Russia, Ukraine has been rapidly developing and deploying technological innovations and cutting-edge unmanned systems. Both Ukraine and Russia have increasingly relied on drone warfare, using aerial, naval, and ground-based drones for reconnaissance and combat missions.
**Strengthening Cooperation with Domestic Arms Manufacturers**
In an effort to strengthen cooperation with domestic arms manufacturers, the Defense Ministry held a working meeting with representatives of companies specializing in drones and other advanced military systems. This move is part of an ongoing dialogue between the government and Ukrainian defense industry players aimed at improving transparency, competition, and efficiency in procurement.
**Standardization and Efficiency**
One of the key objectives for 2025 is to unify technical standards for drones. This move would streamline procurement procedures, create a single framework for evaluating products, and accelerate decision-making. Standardization would also enable the ministry to scale up partnerships with trusted suppliers more efficiently.
**New Formats for Defense Contracts**
The Defense Ministry is considering new formats for working with defense contractors. Rather than purchasing individual systems or weapons, Ukraine is exploring contracts for comprehensive solutions that include training, technical support, maintenance, and system upgrades.
**Local Production on the Rise**
Since the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has increasingly turned to innovation and home production. More than 40% of the weapons used on the front line are now produced in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 16.
**A Shift Towards Local Arms Procurement**
In the 2025 budget, Ukraine allocated $1.3 billion to defense manufacturing to reduce its reliance on foreign arms deliveries. The government plans to raise over $1 billion this year to support local arms procurement through a so-called Danish model, which means purchasing weapons directly from Ukrainian producers.
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