Photo: OP
Ukraine’s defence industry has the potential to produce more than 8 million drones of various types annually, but due to a lack of funding, actual production remains much lower. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his address to the plenary session of the Defence Industries Forum in the Netherlands.
“We can produce more than 8 million drones of various types annually – but the available funding allows us to produce a much smaller number,” the head of state noted.
Zelenskyy stressed that the total potential of Ukrainian defence production currently exceeds $35 billion and covers about a thousand types of products, from artillery and armoured vehicles to advanced drones of all types and missiles. At the same time, according to the President, about 40% of this potential remains without adequate funding.
“This is a problem that needs to be addressed,” he stressed.
The President also noted that Russia today finances its war not only with petrodollars, but also with the support of the North Korean and Iranian regimes, as well as through corrupt ties in third countries.
In this context, Zelenskyy called on NATO partners to cooperate more actively:
“Our unity and solidarity is the best response to Russia’s network of war. We are open to various forms of cooperation in the defence sector – including the exchange of experience and technology with those who help the most. We must be leaders in the drone race – both strike and interceptor drones – and continue to improve our conventional weapons production. Please increase investments in Ukrainian and joint arms production,” the Head of State stressed.
