Ukraine is working to strengthen its military production capabilities, with a focus on drones and missiles, in order to decrease its reliance on Western military aid. However, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukraine will still need significant support from the West for the next few years to effectively defend against Russian aggression and reclaim strategically important areas that are currently occupied.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on October 1st that Ukrainian companies can currently produce four million drones per year, and the country has already contracted for the production of 1.5 million drones, expected to be completed by 2024. This production goal exceeds Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent claim that Russia plans to increase drone production to 1.4 million by 2024.
Zelenskyy also revealed that Ukraine can produce 15 Bohdana self-propelled artillery systems every month and has successfully tested an unspecified domestically produced ballistic missile. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed on October 2nd that Ukraine will continue to prioritize the production of drones and long-range missiles, including ballistic missiles.
The Ukrainian government is providing increased funding to support these efforts. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on October 2nd that $7 billion has been allocated for the purchase of weapons and military equipment in the 2025 state budget, a 65% increase from the 2024 budget. Shmyhal also noted that domestic weapons production has tripled in 2023 and doubled in the first eight months of 2024.
According to ISW, while Ukraine’s efforts to expand domestic military production will eventually reduce its dependence on Western aid, it will still require significant support from the West in the coming years to defend against Russian aggression and reclaim occupied areas.
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