According to the results of 2024, the volume of arms imports to Ukraine may reach $5 billion, excluding military technical assistance from international partners. This was stated by First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy Yulia Svyridenko during the second International Forum of Defense Industries (DFNC2).
Svyridenko noted that such import volumes are already reflected in the customs data. At the same time, the main task is to ensure that part of these funds remain in Ukraine by placing production at national facilities.
According to the official, the Ukrainian defense-industrial complex has much greater capabilities than the financial capabilities of the state budget. The gap, or the so-called “hole”, is at least $10-12 billion.
Yuliya Svyridenko also emphasized that the localization of production, in particular in the amount of UAH 300 billion, can give an additional growth of GDP by 3.5%. Therefore, Ukraine should intensify the production of defense products, in particular through import substitution.
For this, according to Svyridenko, it is necessary to find additional sources of funding. She proposed to increase orders for Ukrainian defense enterprises at the expense of funds from international partners, frozen assets of the Russian Federation, as well as through state lending programs.
Svyridenko also emphasized the importance of opening new markets for Ukrainian manufacturers, as has already been done with drones and demining machines. She emphasized the need to create a coalition of international partners for the development and expansion of the production of defense products in Ukraine.
