Ukraine Can Produce 4 Million Drones Annually - Zelenskyy
Ukraine is capable of producing 4 million drones annually. 1.5 million drones have already been contracted, stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Second International Defense Industries Forum.
"The total number of drones we are currently capable of producing annually in Ukraine is 4 million. Over 1.5 million have already been contracted,"
Zelenskyy emphasized.
He also noted that Ukrainian forces are already using a new class of Ukrainian weaponry – the long-range Palianytsia missile-drone. Additionally, the Armed Forces of Ukraine use other long-range drones and naval drones.
According to the President, Ukraine's new ballistic missile has successfully passed flight tests. Ukraine also possesses Neptune missiles and produces at least 15 Bohdana self-propelled artillery vehicles monthly.
Background
Previously, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that Ukraine plans to produce 1.5 million drones this year. The Ukrainian government has also launched a pilot project to certify drone operator schools.
It is worth noting that drones are one of the main expendable resources in the war, as Ukrainian forces effectively use them to destroy Russian soldiers and their equipment.
Drone production was virtually non-existent in Ukraine before Russia's invasion in February 2022.
"In extremely difficult conditions of the full-scale war under constant Russian strikes, Ukrainians were able to build a virtually new defence industry," said Zelenskiy.
Ukraine tripled its overall domestic weapons production in 2023 and then doubled that volume again in just the first eight months of this year, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told the same gathering. Ukrainian officials gave no absolute figures.
More than 31 months into its war with invading Russian forces, and with no end in sight, Ukraine now spends roughly half of its state budget - or about $40 billion - on defence.
Ukraine also receives large amounts of military as well as financial support from its Western allies.
Russia, which is much larger and richer than its southern neighbour, is expected to hike its own military spending by 25% next year from its 2024 level, to about $145 billion.
Sources: RBC Ukraine; Reuters
