The Ukrainian Government intends to allocate USD 330 Million (9 billion hryvnias) for the development and purchase of new armament and military equipment for the Ukrainian troops.
It was stated by the Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko at the operational meeting of the administrative board of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“Defense order is pretty modest in terms of global prices and expenditures of the aggressor. But it is pretty tangible for the Ukrainian budget and Ukrainian taxpayers,” the Head of State added.
According to the President, a priority for this year is the restoration of a reliable air defense system, creation of a powerful missile shield of Ukraine, accumulation of combat potential of aviation, artillery, production of ammunition, development of telecommunication systems, automated systems of command and control and intelligence.
The Head of State instructed to accelerate the reform of food supply and complete it by 2019.
Over 500 trainings were held in Ukraine in 2016 with involvement of foreign instructors. The President thanked our foreign partners for their assistance in the formation of a new Ukrainian army. “This is a different army already. It wages war differently. This is a bright example of our efficient cooperation,” Petro Poroshenko noted.
The President informed that during multinational exercises in 2017 major efforts will be focused on improving combat readiness of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and increasing the interoperability of our military units with units of the states-members of NATO.
The Head of State emphasized that Ukraine unconditionally supports and welcomes NATO’s efforts to strengthen the eastern flank of the Alliance, protect its member-states from hostile encroachment and attacks of the Russian Federation. “In Munich, I once again had a conversation with President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of Poland Andrzej Duda and leaders of other countries where these troops are located. I can say that these countries really welcome these efforts,” Petro Poroshenko said.