Ukraine ramps up missile production to strengthen counteroffensive – Zelensky
Photo: Office of the President
According to President Zelensky's quote during his interview with the 1+1 channel, Ukraine is producing weapons it never had before.
The total number of weapons currently produced in Ukraine is "ten times higher than before the war."
We are producing Neptune long-range missile, Stugna and Korsar missile systems. I can't say how many, but it's not even ten times more than before the war, it's just enormous. They are constantly at the front, they are approved by our military, the President said.
Ukraine has begun to produce NATO-approved weapons that have never been presented in the state.
We use locally made 155 mm artillery on the battlefield. We have systematic production. This is still not enough for the front, but it is way more than it was, Zelensky explained.
Ukrainian arms makers also ramp up the production of strike drones to gain tactical air superiority. Zelensky assured the state shouldn't lack any resources to produce ammunition on its own.
Previously, he stated that Ukraine is striving to improve its defense industry to the point where it can produce NATO-based arms on its territory.
Deputy chairman of the government's on national security Yehor Chernev explained that Ukraine is increasing the production of shells every month to be able to provide itself with ammunition as much as possible.
Both Ukrainian arms makers and private contractors produce some mine casings or something else. But we are using all resources to increase this shell program, Chernev explained.
Ukrainian-made shells are three times cheaper than Western-supplied, as troops are actively using the 155 mm shells in field guns and howitzers.
This type of ammo is believed to strike a good compromise between range and destructive power, and the use of only one caliber between NATO countries simplifies logistics.
This has led to the obsolescence of larger caliber weapons such as 175 mm and 203 mm, although some militaries still retain 105 mm weapons due to their lighter weight and mobility.
