Defense official says most of Ukraine's 900 defense industry enterprises are privately owned
Ukraine's defense-industrial complex currently includes around 900 enterprises, the majority of which are privately owned.
Defense - Latest news
07 August 2025
06 August 2025
Zelensky holds meeting with Syrskyi and Shmyhal in Sumy region
President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Commander of the Air Assault Forces Oleh Apostol during a working trip to the Sumy region.
04 August 2025
AFU switching to new type of camouflage
The Ministry of Defense has approved a new camouflage pattern for the Ukrainian Armed Forces' clothing and equipment - MM-25.
01 August 2025
Pentagon awards $3.5 billion AMRAAM missile contract, Ukraine among recipients
Raytheon Technologies Corp. has been awarded a $3.5 billion contract by the U.S. Department of Defense for the production of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). Ukraine is among the foreign recipients listed in the agreement.
Germany to deliver additional Patriot launchers to Ukraine in coming days
Germany’s Bundeswehr is set to deliver additional Patriot air defense launchers to Ukraine in the coming days.
30 July 2025
Shmyhal, Pistorius discuss Ramstein meeting outcomes and Ukraine’s defense needs
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal spoke with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius to review the outcomes of the latest Ramstein-format meeting.
25 July 2025
Zelensky: Ukraine needs 10 Patriot systems — funds secured for three
President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukraine has secured funding to acquire three U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems: two financed by Germany and one by Norway. However, Ukraine ultimately needs ten such systems to meet its defense needs.
Zelensky: U.S. agrees to buy Ukrainian drones
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that he has reached an agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump that the United States will purchase drones from Ukraine.
Zelensky: Ukraine needs USD 6B for interceptor drones, USD 25B annually for defense production
President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that USD 6 billion is needed to fund the production of interceptor drones, while the total annual requirement for producing missiles, various types of drones, and electronic warfare systems (EW) is USD 25 billion.
24 July 2025
DM Shmyhal, EU Defense Commissioner Kubilius discuss Ukraine’s urgent defense needs
Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius discussed the most urgent needs of Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
22 July 2025
Over 200 km roads with anti‑drone protection planned in Zaporizhzhia
There is already a road with anti-drone protection in the Zaporizhzhia region, which is 6.5 kilometers long, and there are plans to build another 200 kilometers.
21 July 2025
Shmyhal, Rutte discuss initiative to procure U.S. weapons for Ukraine
Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed a new initiative that would allow allies to procure U.S. weapons for Ukraine, including Patriot missile systems.
Zelensky introduces Shmyhal at Defense Ministry, sets key tasks
While introducing the new Minister of Defense, Denys Shmyhal, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the main task of the Defense Ministry must be to deliver a response to Russian attacks that is proportionate to the threat.
19 July 2025
Shmyhal, Fedorov discuss scaling defense technologies, anti-drone solutions
Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal held a meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov. The main focus was on weapons production, interceptor drones, and deregulation in the defense sector to accelerate the delivery of equipment to the military.
Australia delivers first batch of Abrams tanks to Ukraine
The Australian government has completed the delivery of the first batch of M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks to Ukraine, following a decision made in October 2024.
18 July 2025
Ukraine planning to sign drone deal with U.S., PM Svyrydenko says
Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko stated that Ukraine plans to sign a drone agreement with the United States.
Umerov: NSDC to review execution of key wartime decisions
Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) will conduct an audit of the implementation of decisions made by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff.
Ukraine's new defense minister meets military command to address frontline needs
Newly appointed Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal met with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, and Chief of the General Staff, Major General Andrii Hnatov, to assess the battlefield situation and the urgent needs of Ukrainian defenders.
17 July 2025
Zelensky orders boost in Ukrainian-made weapons on front to 50%
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he had tasked the newly appointed government with increasing the share of Ukrainian-produced weapons on the front lines to 50% within six months.
Kellogg says Ukrainian drone production “incredible innovation”
Keith Kellogg, the U.S. President’s Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, praised Ukraine’s innovative capabilities in the field of combat drone production, even noting that the American defense industrial base should take notice.
Latvia delivers Patria APCs to Ukraine’s Armed Forces
As part of a new package of logistical and material assistance, Latvia has handed over a batch of six-wheeled Patria armored personnel carriers to Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
16 July 2025
Zelensky holds meeting on Ukrainian weapons production
President Volodymyr Zelensky held a defense sector meeting focused on Ukraine’s domestic weapons production, agreements with international partners, and military supply efforts.
U.S. Envoy Kellogg views Ukrainian drone innovations
On July 15, Ukraine’s Ministry for Strategic Industries presented samples of domestically produced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to a U.S. delegation led by Keith Kellogg, the U.S. President’s Special Envoy for Ukraine.
09 July 2025
Von der Leyen: Ukraine’s defense industry impressive but operating at only 60% capacity
The speed, cost-effectiveness and smartness of Ukraine’s defense production are impressive, but the country’s defense industry is only operating at 60% of capacity, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
07 July 2025
Umerov announces launch of DOT-Chain Defense – 'weapon marketplace' for AFU
Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov has announced the launch of DOT-Chain Defense, a new digital system designed to streamline and accelerate the supply of weapons to the country’s Defense Forces.
DIU chiefs meet with head of Fritt Ukraina charity
Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) and Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, his deputy, held a meeting with Peter Frølich, a member of the Norwegian Parliament and head of the charitable organization Fritt Ukraina.
06 July 2025
Ukrainian drone with laser targeting approved for use by Ukraine’s Defense Forces
The Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) R-34-T, capable of laser target designation, has been officially approved for operational use by units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
05 July 2025
Ukraine signs deals with U.S., Denmark to boost joint weapons and drone production – Zelensky
Ukraine and its partners are scaling up the production of long-range weapons and interceptor drones.
New small arms, grenade launchers approved for use by AFU in 2025
In the first half of 2025, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense codified and approved a range of new domestically produced weapons, ammunition, and optical devices for use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
Kyiv sends 2,350 drones of various types to hottest frontline sectors
The Kyiv community has handed over another major batch of drones—2,350 in total—to some of the hottest sectors of the frontline.