What it's about
According to LIGA.net, the plan for using the EU‑agreed €90 billion loan foresees that about €60 billion (approximately two-thirds) could go to the needs of the defense sector. The priority is — increasing financial support for combat units, and only after that — payments to rear services and the development of the digital vertical in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Why this matters now
Money strengthens not only equipment but also human resources: higher pay is an argument in the competition for personnel, particularly for IT specialists. If the state prioritizes frontline fighters, this will give a quick boost to combat capability. But to build an IT vertical, stable contracts and service guarantees are needed, which are also cited among the conditions for using the loan.
"Above all, the authorities will look for ways to increase payments to combat troops, and only after that will they address rear positions and digital officers."
— a source for LIGA.net in the Cabinet/Ministry of Defense
What this means for the Ukrainian Armed Forces' digital vertical
The Ministry of Defense is forming an IT vertical, searching for people with a product background among military personnel and civilian IT specialists. To speed up this process, the interlocutors mentioned three key steps: improving contract terms, service guarantees for specific digital positions, and transparent certification of IT‑officer qualifications.
According to Ministry of Defense representatives, the training and certification system is already developed but needs scaling and digitization of the process itself to quickly provide quality personnel.
Risks and the geopolitical context
The plans are currently slowed by a diplomatic knot: Hungary is blocking the loan's approval. Until a decision is made at the EU level, any internal mechanisms — service guarantees or certifications — remain in question due to uncertainty over funding.
Analysts note that even with the money available, clear rules for its allocation are needed to avoid corruption risks and ensure that investments go to measurable force‑multiplying effects for the front and critical digital competencies.
Conclusion
The decision on funding priorities reflects a simple logic: first, what directly affects short‑term security — salaries of combat troops; next — capitalization of long‑term resources, such as the IT vertical. Now the key question is whether European declarations will be turned into signed contracts and when exactly that will happen, given the current geopolitical obstacles.
