Ukraine to allocate over 5% of its GDP to the defense budget
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) has adopted the main parameters of the defense budget for 2019, the NSDC’s press service stated. Over 5% of the GDP will be allocated for the needs of security and defense sector of Ukraine.
"At the request of the president of Ukraine, a significant increase in servicemen’s pay is one of the important priorities of the budget for next year,” noted Secretary of the NSDC Oleksandr Turchynov. He said the development, preparation of production, and purchasing of new weapons and military equipment, especially modern high precision missile systems and complexes, including cruise missiles, are priority directions for financing next year.
The NSDC will also improve air defense and possibly the Air Force. Other priorities include work in cyber security, development and modernization of the special communication and protection of information, implementation of the National Intelligence Program for 2016 to 2020, strengthening of counter intelligence protection and combating terrorism and sabotage.
The NSDC added that “urgent measures on the protection of national interests of Ukraine in the south regions, waters of the Black and Azov Seas and the Kerch Strait” and "potential threats for nuclear facilities, nuclear materials, radioactive waste and other sources of ionizing radiation in Ukraine" were considered at the meeting.