Spending on Ukraine's security and defense in 2018 will be increased to UAH 164.9 billion from UAH 143.6 billion projected in the national budget for 2017, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said at a Cabinet meeting on Friday.

"This is absolutely our consolidated position – that of the president of the country as commander-in-chief and all ministries – to increase spending on security and defense this year and it will account for 5% of GDP, and defense alone will receive at least 3%. And there we see a significant increase in spending from UAH 143.6 billion this year to UAH 164.9 billion in 2018, "he said.

According to Groysman, UAH 60 billion will be spent on support of the Armed Forces (increased by UAH 11 billion compared to the 2017 budget); UAH 16.4 billion will be allocated for the development, purchase and modernization of military equipment (increased by UAH 6.6 billion), UAH 63.9 billion for the national police, the national guard, the emergencies service (increased by UAH 10.8 billion).