Ukraine has announced a dramatic eightfold increase in its domestic production of cruise and ballistic missiles, significantly bolstering its ability to confront Russian aggression. This expansion comes as a result of Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin’s revelations about the introduction of “many new models” in 2023, marking a major leap in Ukraine’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
Notably, Ukraine’s advancement since 2022 has been remarkable; at that time, the nation could only produce a single type of cruise missile — the R-360 Neptune. By late 2024, Ukraine reported manufacturing over 100 Neptunes with a month still remaining in the year. President Volodymyr Zelensky has set an ambitious target to produce 3,000 cruise missiles in 2025 to replenish stockpiles and strengthen deterrence.
Ukraine’s push to scale up its domestic arms production happens amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, particularly concerning changes in U.S. foreign policy. As Kyiv’s primary defense backer, Washington has played a critical role in supporting Ukraine’s war effort. However, this support showed signs of strain earlier this year when U.S. President Donald Trump briefly suspended military aid and intelligence sharing.
Facing uncertainty, Ukraine has shifted focus towards self-reliance. Presidential Advisor Oleksandr Kamyshin stated that the country is now capable of supplying its armed forces with nearly all necessary military equipment. He remarked, “As of last year, defense manufacturing made up a significant share of our GDP. After our victory, I’m confident we’ll be exporting Ukrainian-made weapons to the world.”
In addition to missiles, Ukraine has reported a 100% increase in long-range drone production in 2024 compared to the previous year. The defense sector produced an estimated $9 billion worth of arms in 2024 and is on track to quadruple that figure by the end of 2025. Kamyshin emphasized, “Today, according to various estimates, 30% to 40% of what our troops use on the frontlines is made in Ukraine.” He further noted, “It’s not only about war — it’s about our economy.”
Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukraine’s military intelligence, underscored that Ukrainian-made weapons are designed specifically to meet the real needs of war and are in no way inferior to their Western counterparts.
