Ukraine boosts drone and missile production for 2025 push

As part of the Victory Weapon project, Ukraine intends to enter into long-term contracts with manufacturers for a period of three to five years. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of long-range technology and the missile programme. The President of Ukraine has set a goal to produce at least 30,000 long-range drones. Additionally, Ukrainian companies plan to produce about 3,000 cruise missiles and missile drones.

Prime Minister Shmyhal also announced plans to develop the so-called Danish model, where international partners purchase weapons from the Ukrainian defence industry for the needs of the Ukrainian army. For this purpose, over £820 million is planned to be raised by 2025. In the security sector, Ukraine aims to develop shelter systems in line with the Finnish model, which includes public-private partnerships and the construction of an extensive network of reliable shelters.

The British newspaper "The Telegraph" emphasises that Ukraine must ramp up production to match Russian bombardments. The small number of cruise missiles Ukraine has received from the USA, the United Kingdom, and France is not sufficient to conduct an intense deep-strike campaign. Therefore, Kyiv is focusing on developing its own production capabilities.

Strengthening the defence industry through local production and developing its own weapon systems allows Ukraine to rely on greater self-sufficiency and stability in the face of changing international aid. These ventures, supported by strategic partnerships, significantly expand the country's prospects, which are crucial in the current geopolitical context, especially given the uncertainty regarding continued Western support. These investments also lay the groundwork for future export opportunities of Ukrainian armaments, which could provide additional funding sources for developing its arsenal.