The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that the potential of the national defense industry in the production of drones and rockets could reach $35 billion by 2025. The head of state shared this during the International Defense Industry Forum.
This is reported by Finway
Growth of domestic arms production
According to Zelensky, over 40% of the weapons used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine are produced directly in Ukraine or in collaboration with Ukrainian enterprises. The government, together with manufacturers, is working to increase this figure to 50% by the end of the current year.
The president also noted the dynamic growth in the production of self-propelled artillery systems “Bohdana.” Over the year, their output has more than doubled: from 15-20 to 40 units per month. Additionally, in 2024, the Ukrainian defense industry produced 2.4 million mortar and artillery shells of various calibers.
Launch of arms exports and new platforms
Ukraine aims not only to meet its own arms needs but also to establish exports of those types of weapons that are produced in surplus. This is expected to become an additional source of funding for the production of critically necessary defense means.
“We need funding to ensure that all potential truly works. And we are working with all partners who can help provide this. The time has come to launch the export of our Ukrainian weapons – those types of weapons that we have in surplus, and therefore can be exported, to provide funding for those types of weapons that are especially needed for defense,” said the president.
Volodymyr Zelensky also reported that agreements have already been reached to open export-import platforms in Europe, the USA, and the Middle East. These platforms are expected to start operating by the end of the current year, expanding opportunities for international cooperation in the defense sector.