Ukraine prepares for record military spending: a third of the budget allocated for weapons in 2026
According to recent data released by Rocsolana Pidlasа, head of the Ukrainian parliamentary Budget Committee, the upcoming year will see the country’s highest-ever military expenditure.
The draft law ‘On the State Budget for 2026’ envisions approximately one-third of the planned expenditures – around 2.8 trillion hryvnias – to be dedicated exclusively to the procurement and production of military equipment and weaponry.
This means that over 45% of the total defense budget will be allocated specifically for supplying service members with necessary gear and technology.
Altogether, roughly 955 billion hryvnias, or one-third of all defense costs, is planned for weapon purchases and military hardware. Moreover, Pidlasа emphasized that Ukraine finances these defense needs through domestic revenues and government borrowing.
International partners, except for the United Kingdom, do not permit aid to be directly channeled into military expenditures, complicating the funding process.By the end of 2026, the country’s national debt is expected to escalate significantly, potentially reaching 101.6% of the projected GDP – nearly three times the 43.3% level of 2021.
The report highlights that due to high defense spending and the limited international financial assistance, the debt level will continue to grow.
Authorities forecast that, should active hostilities persist, around 60% of the national budget will be dedicated to defense, further straining Ukraine’s financial stability.