In the 2025 budget, funding for drones is half as much as manufacturers can provide: Ministry of Digital
The state budget for 2025 provides funding only for the purchase of half of the drones that Ukrainian manufacturers can offer, so Ukraine is actively seeking additional sources of funding. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation Oleksandr Borniakov during his speech at the MITS Forum US – Ukraine Defence Tech Partnership.
According to Borniakov, in 2023, the budget for drones exceeded the capabilities of domestic producers, and in 2024, this figure almost levelled off. However, in 2025, production capacity has increased so much that government funding will cover only half of the needs.
‘However, in 2025, our producers have accelerated so much that there will be half as much money, if not less… The need is still being formed,’ he stressed.
That is why, according to Borniakov, Ukraine is looking for international partners for additional funding. He stressed that it is now more important to get funds to support Ukrainian producers than to look for foreign solutions, as investments in domestic projects will bring more benefits.
Borniakov also said that non-repayable grant funding would increase, especially for projects in the early stages of development. For comparison, in the first year of funding, the amount was about UAH 150 million, in 2024 it increased to UAH 1.5 billion, and in 2025 it is planned to allocate more than UAH 3 billion for grant assistance. In addition, there are about 100 funds in Ukraine that invest in mill-tech projects.
Earlier, Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov said that Ukraine had started providing grants for missile production, and public procurement already covers millions of missiles, including those intended for use with drones.
