The Prime Minister noted that the goal is to build one of the most modern defense-industrial complexes.
“Today, Ukraine produces such a quantity of various weapons that in 2022 it would have seemed impossible. In 2023, weapons production tripled. And in the first 8 months of this year, production has doubled. Our goal is to build one of the most modern defense-industrial complexes,” Shmyhal said.
He noted that the government has allocated 65% more funds in the draft state budget for the purchase of weapons and military equipment next year. This is an increase of almost UAH 300 billion, or $7 billion.
Among the strategic tasks is to increase the range of Ukrainian weapons so that there is not a single safe place in the European part of Russia where the “debris” of our drones and missiles could not fly.
“Ukraine has reliable support from partners. Defense companies from different parts of the world are already entering the Ukrainian market, building production facilities, planning investments and partnerships with our arms manufacturers,” Shmyhal said.
- Defense Minister Umerov said that Ukraine has invested $4 billion in industry, with its drones and long-range weapons a priority. The state is ready to cooperate with partners and is offering multi-year contracts.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the forum that the state is capable of producing 4 million drones annually. Currently, 1.5 million have been contracted. The Palyanitsa drone missile has already been successfully used in combat.