Ministry of Defense strengthens requirements for defense enterprises: key criterion will rise to 50%

Changes in Ukraine's defense contracts

According to ХВИЛЯ: The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has made changes to the criteria for defense contract executors, strengthening requirements for enterprises with debts. From December 2025, the volume of defense goods, works, or services provided by the enterprises must exceed 50% to be included in the protected list. This decision is part of new approaches to ensuring national security and the effectiveness of defense production.

According to the new conditions, a company will be considered strategically important only if the share of its defense production exceeds 50% of the total volume. The Cabinet of Ministers has made corresponding changes to the Procedure for defense contract executors, which defines conditions for including enterprises in the list with a moratorium on enforcement actions. Currently, 51 enterprises of the defense-industrial complex have already been included in this list.

Control over defense enterprises

Moreover, the liquidation of the Ministry of Strategic Industries (Minstrategprom) at the end of 2025, alongside the new requirements, emphasizes the importance of strengthening control over defense enterprises. According to the Law of Ukraine 'On Enforcement Proceedings', during martial law, the state has the ability to block the forced withdrawal of funds from strategic enterprises. The mechanism for stopping enforcement actions is a critical tool for national security.

To be included in the protected list, enterprises must meet three conditions:

• be in the process of fulfilling a state defense contract;
• be included in the electronic register of participants;
• have a share of defense production exceeding 50%.

These changes aim to increase the efficiency of the defense sector and ensure its stability amid current challenges.

The changes made by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine demonstrate a commitment to enhance control over defense enterprises in wartime, which is an important aspect of national security. The creation of a protected list will allow resources to be focused on strategically important companies capable of effectively carrying out defense tasks. This may positively impact the stability and development of the defense sector in Ukraine, especially in the face of growing threats from aggressors.