In a significant move to bolster the capabilities of its armed forces, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has disclosed plans to allocate over 67 billion hryvnias (approximately $1.6 billion) for non-lethal support capabilities aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of its military operations in 2025. The investment is set to improve the quality of supplies for warfighters and secure essential materials crucial for effectively countering threats from adversaries.
Approximately half of this budget, amounting to around 34.2 billion hryvnias ($818.1 million), will be dedicated to the procurement of replenishments and military apparel. Specifically, the allocation breakdown indicates that 24.4 billion hryvnias ($583.7 million) is earmarked for food products, 9.5 billion hryvnias ($227.2 million) will be used to acquire tactical gear, and 314.7 million hryvnias ($7.5 million) will be directed towards fuel supplies.
The Ministry of Defence has expressed that this significant expenditure is geared towards fulfilling additional logistical requirements for the armed forces in the upcoming year. As part of the initiative, a tender has already been issued for the procurement of 550,000 pairs of summer boots and one million summer field uniforms. This early preparation initiative is aimed at ensuring that troops are well-equipped for the spring and summer operational seasons.
Deputy Defence Minister Dmytro Klimenkov emphasized the urgency of these investments, stating, “Amid war, we cannot afford any delays. Advance contracting guarantees that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be provided with everything they need.” His comments underline the critical nature of timely supply deliveries to maintain the operational readiness of military personnel in the ongoing conflict.
In a related development, Kyiv’s defense procurement body, the State Operator for Non-Lethal Acquisition (DOT), had previously revealed plans to allocate 92 billion hryvnias ($2.2 billion) for similar non-lethal assets for the fiscal year 2024. Remarkably, the open-bidding procurement process allowed the government to realize savings of approximately 17 billion hryvnias ($406.6 million) from the total budget.
The announcement of Ukraine’s investment in non-lethal military supplies comes on the heels of the United States’ commitment to provide nearly $1 billion in military aid. This assistance package is anticipated to be one of the last pledged by the U.S. before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January 2025, highlighting the ongoing international support for Ukraine during these challenging times.
