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allocated for military aid for Ukraine in the draft 2024 budget, the government made the decision to increase that number to eight billion euros ($8.6 billion).
Germany has provided Ukraine with a new defense package with Leopard tanks and has already contracted dozens for next year. The German government handed over a new package of military aid to Ukraine. It contains 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks, and 14 Bandvagn 206 tracked all-terrain vehicles. In addition, the package includes the following assistance: five medical all-terrain vehicles (Carrier Warthog), a Wisent 1 demining vehicle, 10 Vector reconnaissance UAVs, 14 Ground Observer 12 radar surveillance stations, tank tractors and semi-trailers for them, 16 Zetros trucks, 13 MAN TGS trucks, as well as 1.4 million cartridges for firearms. At the same time, the German arms concern Rheinmetall signed a contract with the Ukrainian government to supply 25 Leopard 1A5 battle tanks in 2024. In addition, the contract includes five Bergepanzer 2 armored recovery vehicles, and two driver training tanks. It is noted that the German government has financed the order.
Germany's Rheinmetall to provide Ukraine with 25 Leopard 1 tanks. German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall will supply Ukraine with 25 main battle tanks Leopard 1A5 as part of an order financed by the German government, the company announced on Nov. 14
The Netherlands will deliver an additional F-16, making it 18 aircraft sent to Romania by the end of the year to train Ukrainian pilots. At the same time, 30,000 Ukrainian servicemen have already completed their training in the UK and can be deployed at the front.
The number of serial manufacturers of weapons in Ukraine has increased by 300%. According to Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin, in 2024 Ukraine will triple its budget to purchase Ukrainian-made weapons and military equipment. He noted that this year's budget was about $1B. The minister also noted a significant increase in the number of defense companies. "In the spring, no more than 50 companies could mass-produce new varieties of equipment for naval, air, or ground use. Today, there are more than 200 such companies," the minister emphasizes. He also stressed that existing manufacturers are working on increasing their production capacity. "The defense industry is a very profitable business segment, and if Ukraine makes a bet on this segment, it will have the opportunity to export all these products abroad over time," says Kamyshin.
Ukraine Defense Industry confirms mass production of Ukrainian long-range drones. Ukraine has launched mass production of kamikaze drones with a maximum range of 1,000 kilometers, Herman Smetanin, the head of Ukraine's state-owned defense company Ukroboronprom, told Ukrainska Pravda media outlet.
Ukraine has started production of a Shahed drone analog and plans to increase weapon production by 62%. A domestic Shahed drone analog with a 1,000-km range has already been ordered by the Ukraine Defense Forces, saidGeneral Director of Ukroboronprom Herman Smetanin. The state defense company has also started production of three models of FPV drones developed by private companies. According to 2023’s results, the Ukrainian defense industry plans to increase the production of equipment and weapons by 62% compared to last year. Smetanin emphasized that Ukroboronprom’s enterprises are ready to manufacture more weapons but still expect to
36 UKRAINE Country Report December 2023 www.intellinews.com