Ukrainian budget allots $6 bln for defense procurements in 2024 - minister

MOSCOW. April 15 (Interfax) - Ukraine allots $6 billion for defense procurements, including those from domestic manufacturers, in 2024, Ukrainian media quoted Minister of Strategic Industries Alexander Kamyshin as saying.

"The total defense budget of 2024 is around $40 billion, including $30 billion for salaries and compensations to servicemen and $6 billion out of $10 billion left for arms procurement, which does not include the cost of fuel, lubricants and uniforms. This the sum we have today for contracts with manufacturers, primarily Ukrainian ones, and it is very small, considering that our production capacities are thrice bigger," Kamyshin said.

Ukraine is holding talks with foreign partners on buying Ukrainian military products with their funds and handing over the purchased weapons and hardware to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, he said.