Zelensky: Over 40% of Weapons Used by Ukraine Now Domestically Produced

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on April 16 that more than 40% of the weapons currently used on the battlefield are made in Ukraine, as the country ramps up domestic arms production to reduce reliance on foreign supplies.

“Ukraine’s defense industry is now producing over 1,000 types of weapons—from artillery shells and missiles to long-range systems and drones,” Zelensky said during a ceremony in Kyiv honoring military engineers on the third annual Defense Industry Workers' Day. The date marks the anniversary of Ukraine’s Neptune missile striking and sinking a Russian cruiser in the Black Sea.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine will continue expanding its independent weapons production, while also deepening cooperation with international partners. “Ukraine must have its own strong arsenal and maintain a technological edge to respond effectively to Russian forces,” he said. “More and more countries are showing interest in co-producing weapons with us. In nearly every meeting with key partners, defense industry collaboration is a central topic.”

Ukraine has allocated $1.3 billion in its 2025 national budget for domestic weapons manufacturing, a strategic move to lessen dependency on foreign arms.

Still, Zelensky reiterated that international aid remains essential. He warned that any delays or cuts in support—especially from the United States—could severely weaken Ukraine’s ability to hold the front lines.

To further boost its production capacity, Ukraine plans to mobilize $1.1 billion this year under what officials call the “Danish Model.” The initiative would use part of the €2.4 billion in windfall profits generated from frozen Russian assets held by the European Union. Denmark became the first country in 2024 to supply arms to Ukraine by purchasing directly from Ukrainian defense contractors.

With fresh funding, Ukrainian companies are expected to scale up manufacturing. Kyiv plans to submit a list of vetted domestic suppliers for European review and approval before contracts are signed.

Ukraine’s defense industry currently employs around 300,000 people. Zelensky noted recent advances in domestic production of drones, artillery systems, and missiles, though he acknowledged that output is still limited.

(Sources: The Kyiv Independent, Reuters)

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