To support the development of the defense industry, a financial leasing program will be launched in 2025 – Minister

This was stated by the Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine Herman Smetanin at the briefing “Ukrainian Weapons-2024”, answering a question from Ukrinform.

“We currently have a preferential lending program with an interest rate of 5% per annum. In addition, quite recently, together with the Ministry of Economy, we initiated the grant program “Made for Victory”. At the moment, we are developing a leasing program, which will be completed in the coming months. Thus, we will have three tools that will allow us to significantly increase production volumes annually, which the industry has lacked for many years,” Smetanin noted.

He also added that nine agreements with military equipment manufacturers have already been signed under the preferential lending program, seven of which have been concluded since the beginning of 2025. Under this program, loans for replenishing working capital (up to three years) are provided in the amount of up to UAH 100 million at 5% per annum, and for investment projects (up to five years) – up to UAH 500 million.

As of April, 50 applications had been received for participation in the program.

“The program has been in operation for only four months. Some mechanisms are somewhat complicated for our producers, but we take their comments into account and are working to simplify these processes. Nevertheless, 20% of applicants have already been able to receive funding. The first agreements require more time to complete, but I am confident that in the future our producers will be able to go through this process faster,” Smetanin added.

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As reported, the Ministry of Strategic Industries, together with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, launched a program to support Ukrainian manufacturers of components for weapons and military equipment, “Made for Victory.” Enterprises can receive up to UAH 8 million to purchase equipment under a co-financing scheme – 50% at the expense of the state, 50% at the expense of the manufacturer. In total, UAH 1 billion will be allocated from the state budget for the implementation of the program.