Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the country is now capable of manufacturing up to four million drones annually, surpassing its original target of one million drones in 2024. The surge in drone production is linked to the establishment of an “Army of Drones” to counter invading Russian forces.
In a speech before foreign arms manufacturers, Zelensky revealed that Kyiv has already contracted to produce 1.5 million drones in the first three quarters of this year for intelligence and attack missions. The country has managed to triple its overall domestic weapons production in 2023 and doubled it again in the first eight months of 2024.
The Ukrainian defense industry has undergone significant growth, with a focus on rapid innovation. Prior to Russia’s invasion in February 2022, drone production was nearly non-existent in Ukraine. Now, the country is on track to become a leader in defense technology in Europe.
In addition to drones, Ukraine has increased its artillery ammunition production significantly and has started producing its own 155-millimeter artillery shells. The country has also scaled up production of 5.45×39 and 5.56×45-millimeter ammunition for the Ukrainian Army.
