Ukraine boosts domestic arms production but relies on Western support
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Since the start of the full-scale war, Ukraine’s domestic arms production has sharply increased. However, the country continues to rely on support from the European Union and the United States, stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a briefing with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
According to Zelenskyy, at the beginning of the war, domestically produced weapons accounted for less than 10% of Ukraine’s total needs. However, today, this proportion has significantly changed. Currently, about 33-34% of all weapons needed by Ukraine in a year are produced by domestic enterprises. Europe currently supplies around 30% of Ukraine’s military needs, while the US provides 40%.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine cannot consider aid in isolation from its key partners. Maintaining balanced relations with both Europe and the US is important. It is also important for security guarantees.
"Tanks, whether Soviet-made or not, aircraft, helicopters, and so on - Russia has more of these today than we do. But we have more drones, as we produce them ourselves, thanks to domestic manufacturing and the financial support provided by our partners. If all these frozen Russian assets are unfrozen, we will have more funds not only for reconstruction but also for further internal development," the President noted.
Weapon production in Ukraine
Since the start of the full-scale war, domestic arms production in Ukraine has grown rapidly. By the end of December 2024, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported that the capabilities of Ukraine's defense-industrial complex had increased sixfold. Notably, almost all drones used on the front lines are produced within the country.
Meanwhile, the commander of the 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, Pavlo Yurchuk, noted that in the Lyman direction, the Defense Forces have an advantage over the enemy in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
