Ukrainian defense industry gets carte blanche: how billion-dollar contracts from the Startup Fund are changing the rules of the game in the arms market
22 January 18:31
In December 2025, the Innovation Development Fund of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine ordered four Inguar-3 armored military vehicles from Inguar LLC for UAH 75.9 million. This was reported in the Prozorro system, according to Komersant.
It is noted that two medical evacuation vehicles and two combat landing vehicles are to be delivered by July 18, 2026. The details of the agreement and exact prices have not been disclosed due to the undisclosed contract, but the approximate cost of one vehicle exceeds UAH 18 million.
What is known about the Inguar-3
Inguar-3 is a light multi-purpose MRAP armored vehicle created by the Ukrainian company Inguar Defence after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The vehicle meets NATO standards, has undergone trial operation in the Azov brigade, and is available in two versions — with and without a machine gun turret. The vehicle is designed for combat operations and medical evacuation.
How the purchase was made
The purchase was made without a tender, as this is permitted by the “Special Provisions…” for the purchase of goods, works, and services to support the NEXT experimental unit in accordance with the Procedure for Testing and Researching Innovative Technologies by the Innovation Development Fund during martial law. The unit is part of the Brave1 state defense technology cluster.
Funding is provided from the general fund of the state budget under KPCVK 2901080 “Ensuring the implementation of measures for the development of special innovative technologies” and in accordance with the Procedure for the use of funds provided for in the state budget to ensure the implementation of measures for the development of special innovative technologies.
Who is the manufacturer of Inguar?
Inguar is manufactured by a company founded by Artem Yushchuk, Oleksandr Vovalko, and Danylo Vashchuk.
In 2024, the co-founder of the company estimated the serial cost of one armored vehicle at $420,000 (over UAH 18 million at the current exchange rate).
