Smetanin, Minister of Strategic Industries in Ukraine, says that supply chain problems are also causing delays to the missile program.
Reuters reports that Ukraine’s top weapons official has said that the country’s military industrial capacity has been transformed since the beginning of Russia’s full scale invasion. The country now produces millions of mortar shells per year, compared to zero before.
Ukraine, which has a front of 1,000 km, aims to reduce its dependence on Western aid by increasing domestic production. Early in 2024, Ukrainian commanders estimated artillery was responsible for 80% of the casualties on both sides. CNN cited NATO estimates that Russia produces 3 million shells per year – almost three times more than the combined output of Europe and the US.
Herman Smetanin revealed in an interview with Reuters that the primary constraint for Ukraine is not its manufacturing capacity, but the global availability of explosives.
“The only problem that we have right now is powders and explosives.” “However much explosive comes into Ukraine will determine how many shells are available,” he said.
The 32-year old minister, who previously headed Ukroboronprom highlighted Ukraine’s capability to produce different artillery types including the 155mm artillery shells that NATO-donated heavy-artillery pieces use. He did, however, stress that the current production is insufficient.
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