Ukraine Defense Contact Group secures major funding for Ukrainian defense industry
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal (photo: president.gov.ua)
Ukraine's partners during the latest meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) announced defense support worth hundreds of millions of dollars, to be used, in particular, to purchase domestically produced weapons, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal.
During the latest Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in the Ramstein format, new contributions to the PURL initiative totaling at least $422 million were agreed upon. Thus, more than half of NATO member states have already made or declared contributions to PURL.
New contributions for procurement from the Ukrainian defense industry amount to $715 million:
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Norway – $600 million for drones, electronic warfare systems, and explosives.
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Netherlands – $106 million for strike and reconnaissance drones.
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Canada – $8 million for interceptor drones.
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Iceland – $4 million under the Danish model.
In addition, during the UDCG meeting, the following military aid was agreed upon:
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Sweden – $8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine for 2026–2027.
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Czechia – a new $72 million package.
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Canada – $20 million for winter equipment and missile components.
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Portugal – $12 million to the British arms procurement fund for Ukraine, IFU.
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Finland – preparing its 13th package of military assistance.
"I thank UK Defense Minister John Healey and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius for their leadership, support, and commitment to advancing the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meetings. I am sincerely grateful to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and every country participating in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group for their contribution to saving lives and bringing sustainable peace closer," Shmyhal stated.
Results of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting
Earlier, Shmyhal noted that during the latest Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, several partner countries announced new contributions to the PURL program for the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine.
The Ukrainian defense minister also reported that during the UDCG meeting, Ukraine discussed with the United States all types of long-range missiles. Once received, these will be combined with deep strikes on Russian targets.
Following the 31st meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format, Germany will provide an additional €400 million for the production of Ukrainian long-range drones, in addition to other military assistance.
