Weapons manufacturers conclude first soft leasing agreements at 5%

Ukrainian defense industry enterprises concluded the first 26 contracts under the soft financial leasing program totaling UAH 91.2 million. The mechanism allows producers to attract equipment and other assets for expanding production at a 5% annual rate.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Under the program, enterprises can lease equipment and machinery, technological installations, automation tools, transport, and other assets necessary for production.

The maximum financing amount under one contract is UAH 500 million, and the leasing term may reach five years. The state compensates part of the lessor's fee so that the actual costs of the enterprise amount to 5% per annum. The contract may also provide for deferral of leasing payments for up to 12 months.

Enterprises that have the status of critically important in the defense industry sector at the time of contract conclusion can use the program.

According to Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Hvozdiar, for many producers the restriction for increasing output is no longer the absence of orders, but the need to quickly finance new production capacities. Soft leasing is intended to reduce the one-time financial burden during equipment procurement.

The state introduced the mechanism in December 2025. It complements the program of soft lending to defense enterprises.

When launching the program, the Ministry of Defense also provided for the possibility of financing the acquisition and modernization of fixed assets, technological equipment and dual-use machinery, transport for production needs, and non-residential real estate for the operation of enterprises.

Based on materials from: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine