Photo from UNIAN
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announces Ukraine will allocate about UAH 9 billion, or over US$333 million, for the development and purchase of new weapons and military equipment this year, according to the presidential press service.
"About UAH 9 billion will be allocated for the development and purchase of new armament and military equipment this year. Ukraine has never done this before. My task for the Defense Minister and other chiefs of the security agencies is to effectively control how every single kopiyka of the finances allocated by the government in these difficult times is spent," he said at a meeting of senior officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on February 23.
Read alsoPoroshenko, U.S. Congress members discuss ways to counteract Russia aggressionIn his words, the said sum is not that big compared to global defense orders, but it is significant for the budget and the country's taxpayers.
The president said the armed forces have got important tasks now to rebuild a strong air defense system, create a powerful missile defense system, beef up combat potential of aviation and artillery, produce ammunition, as well as develop telecoms networks, and automated troop command and intelligence systems.
Poroshenko also called on an acceleration in reform of food supply in the army so that a new food supply system is to be launched no later than 2019.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the total budget earmarked this year for the defense and national security sectors in Ukraine exceeds UAH 120 billion, or $4.44 billion.