Ukraine will need at least $120 billion for defense in 2026, says Ukraine's MoD

Shmyhal outlined Ukraine’s strategic defense goals and priorities, as defined by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

• More Ukrainian-made weapons: 50% should be purchased in Ukraine.

• More foreign companies willing to cooperate with Ukraine and work in Ukraine.

• Increased deliveries of weapons and non-lethal aid, including from neutral countries. A special focus is on acquiring new air defense systems capable of intercepting ballistic targets.

• Additional funding is needed to develop Ukraine's defense industry, particularly for producing FPV drones, long-range UAVs, and interceptors.

"For our part, we are ready to share our unique combat experience, technologies, and innovations with our partners. We offer our allies to establish joint ventures, transfer licenses, and open production facilities in partner countries," Shmyhal said.

According to him, during wartime, this production will meet the needs of Ukraine’s Defense Forces and later strengthen partner nations as well.

"Next year, we’ll need at least $120 billion for defense. We're working with other countries to raise half that amount with allied support. We’re already engaged in concrete negotiations with EU and NATO members," Shmyhal added.

As previously reported, Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers included two possible development scenarios in the draft Budget Declaration for 2026–2028. Defense spending is expected to remain a long-term priority.

Under the baseline scenario, assuming a significant improvement in the security situation starting in 2026, the planned defense and security budget expenditures are:

• 2026: ₴1.817 trillion

• 2027: ₴1.439 trillion

• 2028: ₴1.384 trillion