Ukraine is gradually managing to increase its own production of weapons and military equipment. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) note this in their report. However, this is not enough and Ukraine still needs Western assistance to repel aggression.
Recently, it was announced that Ukraine has already signed contracts for the production of 1.5 million drones. However, the Institute for the Study of War notes that dictator Putin also plans to increase the production of drones to 1.4 million this year.
Gradually, Ukrainian weapon makers have increased the production of self-propelled artillery systems “Bogdan” to 15 units per month. And recently, a ballistic missile was successfully tested. The Ministry of Defense assures that Ukraine will continue to prioritize domestic production of drones and long-range missiles. For 2025, Ukraine has planned $7 billion for the purchase of weapons and military equipment, which is 65% more than in the 2024 budget.
So far, Ukraine has managed to triple its weapons production in 2023 and double it in the first eight months of 2024. But the losses at the front are significant, so this is critically lacking.
ISW estimates that efforts to increase military production will allow Ukraine to reduce its dependence on the West. But this is in the long run. Over the next few years, Ukraine will still need significant Western assistance to defend itself against the Russian offensive and to liberate towns and villages that have been captured by Russian forces.