Approved twelve distinct automotive equipment models by Ukraine's Ministry of Defence in April
In April 2025, the Ukrainian Defence Ministry gave the green light to 12 varieties of automotive whips, most of them, a solid 60%, being homegrown.
These vehicles, ranging from wheeled emergency-tractor transporters to all-terrain beasts for a plethora of purposes, don't just stop at Ukrainian rides. They've also got room for some top-tier international automakers too.
Valerii Churkin, the Defense Ministry's deputy boss, spilled the tea, "Military mobility and swift logistics boil down to having a solid fleet of vehicles. Ukrainian manufacturers are killing it in certain vehicle production. Our boys need more modern, versatile rides."
Notably, a significant chunk of the defense budget has been allocated to technological armaments this year. One of the Ministry's main missions for 2025 is to standardize UAV specifications.
However, the Minister of Defense didn't hold back the truth when it came to overdue payments on weapons procurement contracts. Since the start of 2025, these debts have skyrocketed by UAH 13 billion (US$313 million). For reference, as of Jan 1, 2024, overdue receivables were UAH 39.6 billion (US$953 million). By Jan 1, 2025, they reached a whopping UAH 45 billion (US$1 billion). And by March 13, 2025, they had ballooned even further to UAH 58 billion (US$1.3 billion).
This year, the Ministry of Defense has inked contracts worth nearly UAH 130 billion (US$3.1 billion) with 12 domestic arms manufacturers, as part of the Weapons of Victory initiative. This program lays down lengths contract, from three to ten years, for domestic arms manufacturers.
Here's the lowdown on the requirements for Ukrainian arms manufacturers eyeing a spot in the program: mandatory codification, mass production skills, and localization of no less than 50%.
Rumor has it that Lithuania is contemplating the production of naval drones and other weaponry under a 1+1 scheme. This means that for every drone or weapon Lithuania produces, it would hand over half the production to Ukraine.
Sources:
- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQc9_xkPn6Pvz4dLW3hScBoLf8lXqzaGL8a3XwdoI4G5eR4SxxpFM1FwDlwt3PPMk0cWW5i5kcewkLz/pubhtml?gid=524318543&single=true
- https://www.defenseexpress.com/archives/monthly-arms-exports-from-russia-continue-to-fall/
- https://www.army-technology.com/features/ukraines-military-industry-battles-to-improve-local-content/
- https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-its-aiming-propose-defence-budget-2022-soon-2021-07-13/
- https://armyrecognition.com/ukraine-defence_industry-intelligence/top-4-arms-factories-of-ukraine/
- By 2025, the Ukrainian Defence Ministry aims to standardize the specifications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), in addition to focusing on modernizing and improving the versatility of their fleet of vehicles.
- Although 60% of the 12 varieties of automotive whips approved in April 2025 are Ukrainian-made, some top-tier international automakers have found their way into the Ukrainian market.
- In the year 2025, the Ministry of Defense has signed contracts worth nearly UAH 130 billion (US$3.1 billion) with 12 domestic arms manufacturers, as part of the Weapons of Victory initiative, which includes terms for contract lengths ranging from three to ten years.
- To be eligible for participation in the Weapons of Victory program, Ukrainian arms manufacturers are required to meet three essential conditions: mandatory codification, mass production skills, and localization of no less than 50%.
- Lithuania allegedly ponders over producing naval drones and other weaponry, proposing a 1+1 scheme, which would have Lithuania producing half of the drones or weapons and handing the other half to Ukraine for production. This potential cooperation could potentially contribute to the improvement of the Ukrainian economy and transportation industry, as well as the automotive and finance sectors, ultimately raising the overall standard of living in the Oblast.
