Ukraine has announced a dramatic eightfold increase in its domestic production of cruise and ballistic missiles — an expansion that significantly bolsters its ability to confront Russian aggression.
While no specific figures were disclosed, Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin revealed that “many new models” were introduced in 2023, marking a major leap in Ukraine’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
He also pointed out how far the country has come since 2022, when it could only produce a single type of cruise missile — the R-360 Neptune.
The groundwork for this rapid expansion was officially laid in late 2024, when Ukraine reported manufacturing over 100 Neptunes already with a month still remaining in the year.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has since set an ambitious target to produce 3,000 cruise missiles in 2025 to replenish stockpiles and strengthen deterrence.
Toward Self-Reliance
Ukraine’s push to scale up its domestic arms production comes amid shifting geopolitical dynamics — notably a change in US foreign policy.
As Kyiv’s primary defense backer, Washington has played a critical role in sustaining the war effort. However, this support showed signs of strain earlier this year when US President Donald Trump briefly suspended military aid and intelligence sharing.
Faced with growing uncertainty, Ukraine has doubled down on self-reliance, with Presidential Advisor Oleksandr Kamyshin stating that the country is now capable of supplying its armed forces with nearly the full range of necessary military equipment.
“As of last year, defense manufacturing made up a significant share of our GDP,” he noted. “After our victory, I’m confident we’ll be exporting Ukrainian-made weapons to the world.”
Arms Industry Boom
In addition to missiles, Ukraine has reported a 100 percent increase in long-range drone production in 2024 compared to the previous year.
The defense sector also produced an estimated $9 billion worth of arms in 2024 and is reportedly on track to quadruple that figure by the end of 2025.
“Today, according to various estimates, 30 to 40 percent of what our troops use on the frontlines is made in Ukraine,” Kamyshin stated. “It’s not only about war — it’s about our economy.”
Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukraine’s military intelligence, emphasized that Ukrainian-made weapons are built specifically for the real needs of war and are in no way inferior to their Western counterparts.
