Air defense, missiles, drones, and long-range weapons – Denys Shmyhal outlines priorities at the Ramstein meeting

The 31st meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in the ‘Ramstein’ format was held in Brussels with the participation of Ukraine’s Minister of Defence. 

During the Ramstein meeting, Denys Shmyhal informed the partners of Ukraine’s key priorities: the PURL initiative, Ukrainian drones and missiles, and extending strike range.

He thanked all those who contributed to the PURL initiative and stressed the need for full implementation of the PURL Action Plan for 2025. 

“We are counting on continued coordination and funding to ensure timely deliveries. Next year, PURL’s requirements are expected to range between $12 and $20 billion,” noted Denys Shmyhal.

Ukraine’s Minister of Defence also stressed the immediate requirement for over $4 billion to support the production of Ukrainian drones and missiles. According to him, if partners provide the necessary funding, Ukraine will be able to produce up to 10 million drones in 2026, including FPV, ISR, and other types essential for holding the front line.

“Our deep strike drones and missiles enable us to respond asymmetrically to russian attacks. According to our data, the enemy is experiencing a petrol shortage of up to 20%,” emphasized Denys Shmyhal. 

On a separate note, the Minister of Defence emphasized the need to increase the supply of long-range artillery rounds. He called for focusing efforts on the supply of long-range ammunition and expressed gratitude for the joint procurement initiative.

“This winter, we will also be in urgent need of interceptors, air defense systems, and both surface-to-air and air-to-air guided missiles — for NASAMS, IRIS-T systems, and F-16 aircraft,” said Denys Shmyhal.

He also underlined the importance of financing defense needs, urging international partners to help Ukraine cover $60 billion — half of the planned expenditures. The optimal way forward is for European partners to allocate at least 0.25% of their GDP to military assistance for Ukraine. Another solution is a loan using frozen russian assets.

“We thank our partners for their steadfast support of Ukraine. Your military, financial, and political assistance is key to achieving a just and lasting peace,” said Minister of Defence of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.