In the past year, the Ministry of Defense has managed to develop long-term, mid-term, and short-term planning for the army, establish cooperation with anti-corruption bodies, create procurement agencies for logistics and defense purchases, and invest $7 billion in the defense industry.
This was reported by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov during a panel discussion at the "Ukraine 2024. Independence" forum.
"The first thing is planning. We have developed long-term planning to ensure that the Security and Defense Forces have a Future Force model that will exist when we are in NATO. We have also developed short-term and mid-term plans that allow us to carry out defensive, stabilizing, and offensive actions," Umerov said.
According to the minister, work has been ongoing in addressing corruption and collaborating with anti-corruption bodies, procurement issues, and investing in the defense sector.
"We have created agencies that operate both in logistics and defense procurement, including lethal and non-lethal items. Together with the government and the Verkhovna Rada, we have invested in the defense industry. Our investments amount to over $7 billion. These investments have provided us with substantial support during periods when we have not received international technical assistance. The Ministry of Defense has invested in military technologies including drones, electronic warfare, ground robotic complexes, and created a unified state register of conscripts and situational awareness systems. As you know, we launched Reserve+, Army+, and we hope soon to create Veteran+ in collaboration with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the Ministry of Digital Transformation," Umerov reported.
During his speech, the defense minister also noted that Ukraine is seeking approval from international partners to use long-range weapons for deterring the Russian forces.
"We are asking our partners for approval to use Western weapons for strikes on military infrastructure targets within enemy territory, which will help us weaken the enemy's military might and push the aggressor's forces away from our borders. Our asymmetric response to the enemy is to enhance our military capabilities to counter every attack and every threat to our land," Umerov emphasized.
