Ukraine completes largest 155mm artillery round procurement

Ukraine’s Defence Procurement Agency DOT has finalised its largest procurement by value to date, contracting for 155mm long-range artillery rounds.  

The Ministry of Defence announced on 25 May 2026 that the award followed a notably competitive process, with participation from a significant number of potential suppliers. 

The Ministry stated that the purchase is intended to strengthen the ability of Ukraine’s Defence Forces to carry out long-range strikes and ensure a consistent ammunition supply for front-line units.  

The agency selected six suppliers for contracts following an evaluation of economic bids and confirmation that bidders could meet required manufacturing timelines.  

Ukraine Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said: “Acting on the President’s directive, we are systematically scaling up competitive procurement in the defence sector to make weapons deliveries to the front line faster, more transparent, and more effective.” 

Officials indicated that competition and transparency in the bidding process resulted in a 16% saving compared to the initial estimated amount, described as “billions of hryvnias in savings.”  

The contracted ammunition is scheduled to be delivered over the course of 2026. 

Previous analysis from Army Technology shows Ukraine has been the recipient of vast quantities of Western artillery systems, primarily in the 155mm range, including the UK’s entire AS90 fleet.

Ukraine defence procurement: FPV drones

Looking ahead, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence expects to expand competitive procurement practices to include first-person view (FPV), mid-range, and long-range drone systems.  

Fedorov noted that the next phase will focus on these capabilities and said the Ministry aims to introduce tender-based procurement for all applicable defence acquisitions beginning as early as the summer. 

The Ministry has also outlined plans for a procurement system prioritising performance and effectiveness, with procedures open to all manufacturers under consistent rules.  

Use of the Prozorro electronic procurement platform will form part of future processes, but the Ministry said a gradual approach is required due to ongoing security risks. 

Ukraine Defence Deputy Minister Mstyslav Banik said: “We are implementing everything gradually, because any abrupt untested changes now would effectively be like performing surgery on a beating heart.

“Even during the active phase of the war, we are building a system in which every decision is explained, verified, and monitored. That is why changes are introduced progressively and through extensive testing.” 

Recently, the US Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine, authorising Hawk Missile System Sustainment and associated equipment and services at an estimated cost of $108.1m.