Ukraine produces weapons worth $9 billion in 2024: Breakthrough in missiles and more
Illustrative photo: missile production in Ukraine significantly increased in 2024 (facebook.com/GeneralStaff ua)
Ukraine has tripled its weapons production in 2024. In particular, missile production has increased eightfold compared to 2023, states Minister for Strategic Industry, Herman Smetanin, at a conference on the defense industry’s performance in 2024.
"In 2022, we produced one billion, in 2023, we tripled that and produced three billion, and last year, we also tripled it, reaching an annual production of 9 billion dollars in weapons and military equipment," he said.
Smetanin clarified that the Ukrainian defense industry could potentially produce weapons worth 20 billion dollars in 2024.
According to him, by 2025, the production capacity of weapons and military equipment in Ukraine could grow to 35 billion dollars.
"Last year, 52% of all weapons and military equipment were produced by private manufacturers," he added.
Missile production
Smetanin reminded that in 2024, Ukraine began producing new cruise missiles and rocket drones: Palianytsia, Peklo, Ruta, and Bars.
He clarified that in 2024, missile production increased eightfold.
"The year before last, we only had one cruise missile — the Neptun missile... Last year, we introduced many new products, which ensured a production volume eight times greater than in 2023," the minister said.
Production of shells and mines
Ukraine also produced 2.4 times more artillery and mortar ammunition last year compared to 2023.
"Regarding the Bohdana self-propelled artillery system, we introduced a new version — the towed Bohdana," the minister said, adding that the production of self-propelled artillery systems (SPAS) has increased threefold.
He noted that the production capacities for armored vehicles are currently operating at 50% capacity.
This year, one of the production focuses will be ground robotic complexes.
Ukraine's presidential adviser on strategic issues, Oleksandr Kamyshin, said that today the Ukrainian defense industry meets 30-40% of the needs of the defense forces.
"According to various estimates, from 30% to 40% of what our front is using in combat is produced in Ukraine," he said.
Earlier, Smetanin stated that Ukraine is developing its own analogue of the Patriot air defense system. Such systems are necessary to protect the sky from ballistic missiles.
