The Ministry of Defence will allocate an additional UAH 1.1 billion for the purchase of drones. This was announced by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal at a regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on 13 December.

According to him, these funds will be transferred directly to the brigades to finance the most important needs.

“The President has instructed the Government to increase direct funding for the brigades to purchase additional drones. Today, this order will be fulfilled,” said Denys Shmyhal.

According to the Head of Government, this month the Ministry of Defence will directly transfer UAH 4.3 billion to the military brigades. In general, over 11 months of this year, such direct funding amounted to UAH 27.2 billion, of which UAH 8.8 billion was allocated for the purchase of drones, UAH 3.9 billion for other weapons and equipment, UAH 2.1 billion for vehicles, and UAH 1.5 billion for electronic warfare equipment.

At the same time, according to Denys Shmyhal, the Government spent UAH 229 billion over 10 months of 2024 to purchase military equipment, weapons, ammunition, defence products, personal protective equipment, and food for the Security and Defence Forces. In addition, another UAH 226 billion was allocated for the purchase of goods to meet the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“As for direct funding for the brigades, the Government has decided that next year it will be no less than this year. This is especially important for the rapid procurement of drones, of which we plan to produce more than 1.5 million this year. Next year, the state budget will also allocate UAH 100 billion for the purchase of drones,” the Prime Minister stressed, adding that the state was ready to invest and support Ukrainian manufacturers.