2023-12-27 20:03:31
Ukraine says it will have significantly increased its production of military equipment following 2023, despite constant Russian air strikes. “Overall, we have tripled our production this year,” said Olexander Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries, to journalists in Kiev. Almost a third of the economic growth of 4.9 percent was generated by armaments companies. In total, around 300,000 workers are currently employed in the 500 mostly private companies.
According to the minister, Kiev has, among other things, increased the production of mortar shells by 42 times. Production of artillery shells has almost tripled. For grenades with a NATO caliber of 155 millimeters, there is still a dependency on Western supplies. However, Kiev is working on setting up its own production. “We plan to transition to series production next year,” Kamyshin announced. However, one problem is the procurement of gunpowder, which is in short supply worldwide.
In addition, Ukraine is now producing six self-propelled howitzers of the “Bohdana” type every month. According to the minister, the production of infantry fighting vehicles and armored vehicles has also increased significantly. However, this is still a long way from covering your own needs. However, the head of the state arms company Ukroboronprom, Herman Smetanin, admitted that no battle tanks are being manufactured. However, repair capacities in the country have been expanded. Western tanks will soon also be repaired in Ukraine.
Ukraine was able to massively increase its own production of artillery shells, for example
Keystone/ EPA/MARIA SENOVILLA
The lion’s share of drones used in frontline operations already comes from our own production. More than a million first-person view drones – hand-controlled drones whose flight can be tracked via the camera in the device – are expected to be produced in 2024. In addition, more than 1,000 long-range drones with a range of 1,000 kilometers, which can also reach destinations in Russia, are to be built each year. The company’s own rocket program is subject to the highest level of secrecy. “Believe me that my colleagues and I will spend enough time so that we have something to reach Russian territory,” emphasized Kamyshin.
Ukraine has been fending off a Russian invasion for over 22 months. The country is still heavily dependent on Western arms supplies.
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