Estonia urges allies to invest in Ukraine's defense industry
Photo: Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Defense of Estonia (Getty Images)
Ukraine's defense industry could produce twice as many weapons per year as it currently does. Western countries need to assist Ukraine with funding, stated Estonia's Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur in an interview with The Hill.
Pevkur noted that the risks of sending foreign soldiers to Ukraine for training and assistance outweigh the benefits.
"As far as I know, Ukrainians can handle all of this, when we can deliver all what they need for fighting with Russia," he said.
According to the Minister, at the beginning of Ukraine's operation in the Kursk region, there was a "huge momentum," but at that time, Ukraine lacked the equipment and firepower to advance further into enemy territory.
"I believe this was a missed opportunity for Ukrainians, together with the West. … We have to decide collectively, that are we helping Ukraine to fight or to win? So if you want to help them to win you have to make this extra step," Pevkur noted.
He emphasized that Ukraine's defense industry is currently ramping up production. Specifically, Ukraine produces six to seven times more howitzers per year than France.
Pevkur added that Ukraine's defense industry could produce weapons worth $30 billion annually, but Ukraine only has $15 billion available to spend.
"That means there’s twice as much capacity in Ukrainian industry. So when you don’t have anything to give from your own stockpiles, give them money, it’s a simple message," Estonia's Minister of Defense said.
Weapon production in Ukraine
Ukraine has significantly increased its defense production since the start of the full-scale war. This includes drones, artillery shells, and other weapons.
Recently, Ukraine's Minister of Defense, Rustem Umerov, announced the scaling up of serial production of the Neptune missiles. These missiles have been upgraded for use at greater distances.
