Photo: OP
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that at least $30 billion a year is needed to fully launch Ukrainian defence production. He said this during a conversation with journalists on 27 May.
“I would like to see us get $30 billion to launch Ukrainian arms production alone. We are underutilised by about this amount. We are talking about the missile programme and everything that we are capable of producing,” Zelenskyy said.
The Head of State focused on Ukraine’s missile programme, particularly in the field of ballistic missiles, which is already showing progress but requires significant funding.
“We are developing it, we need money for it. This is a complicated story called Ukrainian ballistics,” the President added.
In addition, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine plans to launch military production abroad to guarantee their safety and secure additional international funding.
“We will open production lines abroad. This will solve two issues: financing and tools for partners after the war,” he said, adding that the first foreign production facilities would be opened in 2025.
These statements are in addition to the information previously announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal:
- drone production increased 10-fold (January 2025 to January 2024),
- artillery – by 3 times,
- armoured vehicles – by 5 times,
- anti-tank weapons – by 2 times,
- ammunition – by 2.5 times.
Ukraine is striving to build a full-fledged defence industry capable of providing for its army on its own, even in a prolonged war.
