Ukraine sets goal of developing missiles with a 2,000-km range
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces (photo: t.me/ministry_of_defense_ua)
Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi has approved a concept for the development of missile forces and artillery through 2030. The plan envisions phasing out Soviet-era systems and producing domestically developed missiles, Syrskyi said.
"While fighting a difficult war today, we must simultaneously build the military of the future. Developing capabilities, introducing new technologies, and preparing for future challenges are no less important than carrying out current combat missions. Our strategic decisions are aimed precisely at this," he emphasized.
According to the commander-in-chief, domestically produced weapons should form the basis of Ukrainian artillery units' equipment in the future.
At the same time, worn-out Soviet-caliber artillery systems that cannot be repaired or modernized will be gradually phased out of service.
"It is planned to retain units equipped with the most modern foreign-made artillery systems within the armed forces. In addition, further optimization of the artillery weapons inventory is planned," Syrskyi stressed.
Production of long-range missiles
According to the general, a separate priority of the concept is the development of missile weapons for strikes deep behind enemy lines. To achieve this, Ukraine plans to complete the development and begin serial production of domestically produced ballistic and cruise missiles.
"Combined with unmanned systems, this will make it possible to create a balanced long-range strike system and ensure the engagement of targets at distances of up to 2,000 kilometers," Syrskyi noted.
The role of artillery and challenges on the front line
The commander-in-chief noted that despite evolving tactics and the rapid development of drones and guided aerial bombs, artillery remains an integral element of the battlefield. However, its effectiveness is currently reduced by several factors:
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Critical dependence on supplies from Western partners;
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Complex logistics due to the large number of different systems;
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Limited range of certain systems;
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A shortage of artillery reconnaissance assets.
"The effectiveness of artillery directly depends on the quality of reconnaissance and the speed of information transfer. That is why one of the key priorities of the Concept is the creation of a modern artillery reconnaissance system," the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine emphasized.
Syrskyi noted that under any circumstances, artillery will continue to effectively destroy the enemy and will remain one of the main factors deterring Russian aggression.
Earlier, Syrskyi reported that in May, the Defense Forces liberated 100 square kilometers more territory than they lost. Ukrainian forces also carried out strikes on facilities belonging to Russia's military-industrial complex in Moscow and the Moscow region for the first time.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced the completion of the development of Ukraine's first glide bomb, Vyrivnyuvach. It carries a warhead weighing about 250 kilograms and is intended to strike targets deep behind enemy lines.
