Ukraine's arms makers reveal the defense sector's most critical shortage
Photo: drone production (Getty Images)
Ukrainian weapons manufacturers are increasing the localization of production but still rely on imported components, some of which have become scarce, according to the RBC-Ukraine article.
According to defense industry representatives interviewed for the report, depending on the company, the share of components sourced from China can still reach as much as 40%. At the same time, Ukrainian enterprises are actively working to localize production, although not all necessary components can currently be manufactured domestically.
As noted by Borys Budeianskyi, director of technology company BlueBird Tech, the key issue is not only the availability of components but also the stability of their supply.
"For wartime needs, it is critically important that a component can be obtained not just once, but consistently and in large quantities," he explained.
Representatives of General Chereshnya also stressed that manufacturers need predictable deliveries, as production rates and order fulfillment depend on them.
Which components are in shortest supply
Among the most scarce items, manufacturers cite microelectronics, GNSS navigation modules and inertial systems, sensors, optical equipment, and thermal imaging matrices.
Battery systems and specialized chips used for flight control and stabilization also remain difficult to source.
Serhii Honcharov, Executive Director of NAUDI, said that drone manufacturers are facing a particularly acute shortage of fiber-optic cable. It is not produced in Ukraine, while global prices have risen significantly due to demand from the defense industry and the expansion of data centers.
In addition, certain types of explosives remain in short supply and must also be imported.
Why this is a problem for production
Industry representatives explain that for drone manufacturers, the ability to receive identical components in the required quantities over a long period of time is critical.
Even replacing a single component often requires repeated testing of the product, software adaptation, and adjustments to production processes, all of which can affect manufacturing speed.
As previously reported, Ivan Kyrychevskyi, a serviceman with the 413th Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces Raid, stated that Ukraine has seized the initiative in drone warfare and is systematically destroying Russian military logistics.
According to him, the greatest impact comes not only from technological advances but also from the training of operators who have learned to use drones as one of the key tools on the battlefield.
