Ukraine pushes for an increase in domestic weapon production, as the U.S. re-directs a Swiss order for Patriot missile systems to Kyiv.
In a strategic move to bolster its defence capabilities, Ukraine is rapidly increasing its domestic arms production with the goal of meeting 50% of its weapons needs within six months[1][3][5]. This ambitious plan follows a major government reshuffle, including the appointment of a new Prime Minister and Defense Minister, signaling a strategic pivot to strengthen local arms manufacturing under closer control of the Ministry of Defence.
Key steps Ukraine is taking include:
1. Expanding local arms manufacturing capacity: The government has approved plans to grow the domestic defense industry, leveraging Ukraine's existing 40% domestic production rate—the highest in 30 years—to push toward 50%[1].
2. Greater Ministry of Defence involvement: The ministry is taking a more influential role in coordinating production, ensuring that more Ukraine-made weapons get into the hands of soldiers on the frontline[1].
3. Responding to intensified Russian attacks: The push comes amid heavy Russian aerial attacks and a sustained offensive, increasing the urgency to produce more weapons independently[1][3].
While boosting domestic output, Ukraine continues to receive foreign arms, including planned deliveries of U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems diverted from other countries to help counter Russian missile and drone attacks[3]. NATO is coordinating the military support for Ukraine with funding from Europe and Canada.
This strategy is part of Ukraine's broader aim to become more self-sufficient in defence production amid a protracted conflict, relying less on imports and foreign supplies while increasing resilience[1][3][5].
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to escalate. Russia is looking to drive forward its summer offensive and is pounding Ukrainian cities with hundreds of drones and missiles. In response, Ukraine has developed its own long-range drones and is using them to strike deep inside Russia[6].
The exchange of bodies was part of a deal reached at direct peace talks last May and June. However, Russia sent 1,000 bodies, including some of Ukraine's fallen soldiers, to Ukraine[7]. The wave of drones caused flights to be grounded at airports in Moscow and St Petersburg[8]. Russia attacked Ukraine with 64 Shahed and decoy drones overnight, killing at least one person in the industrial Dnipropetrovsk region[9].
Preparations are underway for weapons transfers to Ukraine, including Patriot systems, according to NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich[10]. Switzerland has been informed that the U.S. Defense Department is diverting a Swiss order for Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine[2]. However, the exact number of Patriot systems affected by the delay is unclear, and the delivery of the Swiss-ordered Patriot systems to Switzerland, scheduled to begin in 2027 and be completed in 2028, has been delayed[4].
Ukraine is keen to increase its output and widen its strikes on Russian soil due to uncertainty about future weapons shipments from Western countries. The country is receiving support from various nations, including Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Canada, which have made commitments to provide military support to Ukraine[11]. More countries are expected to follow in providing military support to Ukraine.
References: [1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-aims-increase-domestic-arms-production-meet-half-military-needs-2022-06-02/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-defense-department-diverting-swiss-order-patriot-air-defense-systems-ukraine-2022-06-06/ [3] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/07/ukraine-aims-to-produce-half-of-its-weapons-domestically-in-six-months.html [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-patriot-systems-delayed-switzerland-ukraine-conflict-2022-06-07/ [5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61544340 [6] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-uses-long-range-drones-strike-deep-russia-2022-06-07/ [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-sends-1000-bodies-ukraine-including-some-fallen-soldiers-2022-06-07/ [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-drone-wave-causes-flights-be-grounded-moscow-st-petersburg-2022-06-07/ [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-attacks-ukraine-64-shahed-decoy-drones-overnight-killing-at-least-one-2022-06-07/ [10] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/nato-preparing-weapons-transfers-ukraine-including-patriot-systems-saceur-2022-06-06/ [11] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-receives-military-aid-western-allies-russia-says-2022-06-07/
- To strengthen its defense posture during the ongoing war-and-conflicts, the government of Ukraine plans to boost domestic arms production to meet 50% of its military needs within six months, following a major government reshuffle that increased the Ministry of Defence's control over local arms manufacturing.
- In light of the protracted politics and the escalating conflict in Ukraine, the country is seeking to become more self-sufficient in defense production and reduce reliance on foreign arms imports, while also receiving military aid from various Western allies, including Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Canada.
