Sunday, January 8, 2017

Year of Ukrainian arms: smashing "Thunder" and "Missile Shield"


Vladyslav Shvets


Photo from UNIAN

Ukraine continues to strengthen its military capabilities. In 2016 the national military industry showcased a number of new projects, while the country’s defense sector, for the fourth consecutive year, received record funding.


During the military conflict in Donbas and Russia’s pressure on Ukraine on the eastern borders, defenses have become a top priority both in the government policies and in the country’s development. The state budgets started to be called "defense-oriented", while the funding of the Ukrainian army has risen to record highs.


 In 2016, the funding of Ukraine’s defense and security sector amounted to UAH 113 billion, which is 20% more than the year before. In 2017, the figures will rise, once again. Ukraine intends to allocate a record 5.9% of GDP, or UAH 133 bln (nearly $5 bln) in monetary terms, for its defense and security sector.

However, to this amount still falls short of what is allocated by global powers. Ukraine’s main enemy, the Russian Federation, maintains its defense budget on the usual high level of more than $70 billion. European countries in 2016 also increased defense spending significantly.

In particular, the United Kingdom has allocated for these purposes some $55.5 billion, France gave $50.9 billion, and Germany provided $39.4 billion. Regarding the priorities in the national defense sector for 2017, they will remain unchanged.

The priority list is topped by the program to create a "missile shield", or produce new missile and artillery systems. "We have to complete the state defense order for 2017, giving preference to modern missile systems, heavy artillery systems, air defense, electronic warfare and electronic intelligence equipment," said  NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov.

The U.S. assistance should also strengthen Ukraine’s defense sector. Before leaving office, President Barack Obama signed the defense budget, which provides for the allocation of military assistance to Ukraine in the amount of UAH 350 million. The list of aid, in addition to lethal defensive weapons, included technical support for the development of an integrated system for monitoring of the state border of Ukraine, as well as assistance in preparing staff officers and the high command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In general, the past year has become a kind of a breakthrough for the Ukrainian defense industry. It was not so great when compared with global trends, but Ukraine it was a breakthrough for Ukraine, indeed. UNIAN is offering a short overview of main events and new projects of Ukraine’s defense sector in 2016.

Read more HERE


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