Glib Kanievskyi: The Ministry of Defence has allocated one-third of the defense budget to technological weapons

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine held a working meeting with representatives of companies specializing in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other advanced technological weaponry. This meeting is part of an ongoing series of events within the framework of continuous dialogue with domestic weapon manufacturers.

The objective was to discuss the business sector’s experience in defense procurement and identify areas for improving the existing system, particularly in enhancing transparency, competition, and the efficiency of procedures.

“The Ministry of Defence has allocated one-third of the defense budget to technological weapons. Defense procurement today is not only focused on meeting the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; it also serves as a powerful driver for the development of Ukraine’s technological sector, particularly in UAVs, electronic warfare (EW), and missile technologies,” said Glib Kanievskyi, Director of the Procurement Policy Department of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The directive from Minister Rustem Umerov to the procurement structures is to build a system that fosters innovation and attracts new participants, added the Director of the Procurement Policy Department.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Defence team presented an overview of the contractor structure of the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA), along with current data on competition levels.

The priorities for 2025 include the standardization of technical requirements for UAVs. This will facilitate the establishment of uniform evaluation criteria for products, streamline procurement procedures, and accelerate decision-making. Additionally, standardization will allow the Ministry of Defence to broaden its engagement with reliable suppliers.

The meeting also addressed the introduction of new formats for interaction with contractors, including the potential procurement of comprehensive solutions that encompass training, technical support, maintenance, and equipment upgrades, rather than just individual products.

Participants also emphasized the importance of securing additional financial resources—both within Ukraine and internationally—to ensure the sustainable development of technological defense production.