How much of Ukraine’s defense needs are met by its own arms industry - Ukrainian FM responds
Photo: Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine must become increasingly self-reliant and continue developing its defense industry. Today, the domestic defense sector meets around 40% of the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
"Ukraine must become more and more self-sufficient. We need to further develop our defense-industrial sector. We already have significant achievements in this field, and in some areas, such as drone technologies, we have become global leaders," Sybiha said.
According to him, some indicators show that Ukraine has scaled up military equipment and weapons production for its army and defense needs by 35 times. Currently, the domestic defense industry covers about 40% of the military's requirements.
This includes, as Sybiha noted, the production of artillery shells, including NATO-standard calibers that Ukraine did not manufacture before the war. Now, their monthly production exceeds that of countries with large production capacities in a year.
"As a country at war with Russian aggression, all of this is critically necessary. We need additional investments and more support for the production of weapons in Ukraine. One of the main lessons we've already learned from this war and Russian aggression is that we must not depend on any country for the supply of critical weapons for our army. That is why this policy will continue to be implemented," he explained.
Weapons production in Ukraine
After the start of full-scale war, Ukraine significantly stepped up its production of weapons and military equipment. State-owned and private defense companies are working at full capacity, focusing on drones, ammunition, armored vehicles, and equipment repairs.
In addition, Ukraine has begun active cooperation with foreign companies, creating joint projects and opening production of Western weapons on its territory.
In early March, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that Ukraine already produces a third of the weapons needed to defend against Russian aggression. The current goal is 50%.
