By Johnny Franks, Warrior Editorial Fellow
In response to shaky military support from the West and, in turn, the uncertainty over future military aid from outside sources, Ukraine has begun actively strengthening its defense industrial base, increasing domestic weapon production and development of military technologies.
Since 2014, the Ukrainian defense industry has significantly shifted, and arms production has noticeably increased. For instance, the Ukrainian Armor Design and Manufacturing Co. has increased its efforts to produce specialized armored vehicles and mortar launchers, proving the country’s ability to supply them with the necessary arsenal for their military. This firm has intensified production at least tenfold since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, a testament to Ukraine’s will and determination to develop its defense capabilities domestically. Ukraine aims to conceive of a broad spectrum of weapons systems to cover today’s problems and future problems. Ukraine seeks to increase the production of conventional armaments and develop modern air defense systems. In July 2023, Ukrainian officials announced the successful test of new, domestically produced medium-range air defense systems, similar to American Hawk anti-defense systems. These systems represent one of the significant additions to Ukraine’s arsenal, especially considering current and future threats from aerial forces.
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The current stage of the conflict underlines the imperative that Ukraine must ensure an uninterrupted supply of ammunition and various types of air defense systems. This requirement was reiterated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other international allies, indicating the vital role these products play. The delay in US military aid, thanks to political maneuvering within Congress, has further complicated the situation. Thus, prompted by the delay in US military aid, Ukraine has accelerated the development and production of indigenous military solutions. Despite these developments, Ukraine’s defense industry is faced with severe challenges: increased threats from Russian missiles to production facilities, along with a legacy of underfunding and production issues that predate the current conflict. Unfortunately, the operation of such a crucial industry remains affected by weaknesses in infrastructure and anti-air capabilities.
In the immediate run-up, Ukraine is focused on addressing all those needs to keep them in their defensive operations. It will spread its manufacturing capabilities across all armaments and produce medium-range air defense systems in the medium term. In the long run, Ukraine is aiming to be more self-sufficient in defense technology, possibly including long-range weapons systems and, in the future, advanced military technologies.
Such a shift to develop its weapons shows Ukraine’s resilience and strategic insight. Domestic weapons production and technological innovation not only enhance its current defensive capabilities but also lay the groundwork for a more independent and robust military infrastructure capable of answering potential future security challenges.
Johnny Franks holds an MA in U.S. Foreign Policy & National Security from American University and a BA in Diplomacy & World Affairs from Occidental College. With a specific interest in geopolitical security and military technology, Johnny has primarily focused his research and analysis on the Russia-Ukraine conflict from 2014 onwards. As part of his MA coursework, Johnny contributed to developing an Arctic defense strategy in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense
