The head of the Ministry of Defense, Rustem Umerov, emphasized the importance of the new EU defense initiative SAFE (Security Action for Europe) with a total budget of €150 billion, which opens up opportunities for Ukraine to fully integrate into the European defense industrial space. Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has significantly increased its defense production, raising it from $1 billion in 2022 to an impressive $35 billion in 2025. Umerov noted that this success is the result of joint efforts and immense internal potential.
This is reported by Finway
Joint Procurement and Production
“Supporting the Ukrainian defense industry is a contribution to the collective security of the entire continent. SAFE creates mechanisms for procurement in critically important areas,” the minister emphasized. He also urged European partners to prioritize procurement from the Ukrainian defense industry, especially in the segment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Prospects for Cooperation
According to Umerov, Ukraine is ready for large-scale joint production and supplies that will meet the needs of the front and, in the future, European armies. Among the promising areas of cooperation, the minister highlighted 155-millimeter ammunition, artillery systems, air defense systems, and electronic warfare. Umerov concluded that “large joint projects with Ukrainian participation are capable of ensuring long-term strength and stability on the continent.”