This year, the head of the Ukrainian government reports a twofold increase in weapon production.
This year, Ukrainian weapons production has experienced a substantial boost, as per government statistics. As Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal put it, "We've more than doubled our weapons production in the initial eight months of 2024 compared to 2023." Ukraine aims to manufacture over a million drones by year's end. In Shmyhal's words, "We're advancing. Our drone production is on the rise."
Since February 2022, Ukraine has been engaged in combat with Russian forces, and although seeking assistance from its Western allies, it's also bolstering its domestic defense sector.
As a part of these endeavors, Ukrainian troops recently conducted a successful trial of a domestically developed ballistic missile, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed a month ago. Furthermore, Zelenskyy noted that his troops had employed for the first time in battle a long-range rocket drone named "Palianyzia," which is locally produced in Ukraine.
Still, Ukraine isn't neglecting its quest for ongoing support from its international allies. Evident in the Ukraine Contact Group gathering at the U.S. military base in Ramstein last week, and also highlighted in Zelenskyy's evening address on Monday. In his address, he stressed, "The trajectory of the war hinges directly on the caliber of logistics and the fullfillment of every pledge by our partners."
Despite relying on international support, Ukraine is also enhancing its domestic defense capabilities. For instance, Ukrainian troops have successfully tested a homegrown ballistic missile and utilized the long-range rocket drone "Palianyzia" in combat, both of which are Russian-made equivalents that Ukraine has been able to produce domestically.
