Volodymyr Zelenskyy: By the End of the Year No Less Than 50% of the Weapons at the Front Must Be Ukrainian

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Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the capacity of Ukraine's defense industry has increased by tenfold, and this potential must continue to grow. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this during his speech at the third International Defense Industries Forum in Kyiv. The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof, also attended the event.

"Our production potential for drones and missiles alone will reach $35 billion next year. Despite strikes, despite the objective difficulty of the very task of building a defense industry - and weapons are technologically complex, hard to design, manufacture, and field - despite all the difficulties, Ukrainians are creating their national defense product that, in certain parameters, already surpasses many others in the world," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

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According to the Head of State, the production of domestic artillery has been established at record speed and quality. In particular, Ukraine manufactures 40 Bohdana self-propelled howitzers per month. Moreover, last year, domestic producers also manufactured and delivered 2.4 million mortar and artillery shells of various calibers to the front.

The President emphasized that Ukrainians are the frontrunners in Europe in drone development and deployment: Ukrainian naval drones have become a global defense sensation. They made it possible to regain control over a part of the Black Sea, and for the first time, the Russian Black Sea Fleet was forced into remote bays. Volodymyr Zelenskyy added that Ukraine's successful use of naval drones has largely reshaped the maritime defense strategies of all the world's leading powers, while drones targeting Russian oil assets clearly demonstrate Ukraine's strength.

"Never before in history has Ukrainian defense been so long-range and so felt by Russia. And together with our other tools and with tools provided by our partners, we can count on achieving reliable and sufficient security guarantees for Ukraine after this war. We must make the cost of war absolutely unacceptable for the aggressor - and we will. And we will respond to Russia for every strike on our people, on our cities and our Ukrainian communities," the President emphasized.

The President also highlighted the success of several Ukrainian attack drones: Liutyi, Fire Point, Shark, and Bober. Ukrainian manufacturers are supplying the front with colossal quantities of UAVs - from FPV drones to ground robotic complexes. Currently, over 40% of the weapons used on the frontline are Ukrainian-made.

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"The task for manufacturers, for the Government of Ukraine, for all institutions involved is that by the end of the year no less than 50% of the weapons at the front must be our Ukrainian weapons, and this task must be accomplished," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

In addition, there is a task for the rapid deployment of interceptor drone production and Ukrainian ballistic capabilities.

"We have repeatedly and successfully used Neptunes - our cruise missiles - and the time will come when we can begin regularly employing our own ballistic missiles. This is one of the key security tasks for the state and for all enterprises and people responsible specifically for Ukraine's missile program," the President said.

He also emphasized Ukraine's production potential is far greater than the funding currently provided through domestic resources and bilateral partner agreements.

The President thanked the Netherlands, and personally Dick Schoof, for the provided defense packages, ongoing cooperation, and investments in Ukraine's defense. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine has already reached the next stage and begun establishing joint defense productions with key partners.

"It is time to start exporting our Ukrainian weapons - those types we have in surplus and can therefore export, to finance the types of weapons that are especially needed today here, in Ukraine, for our defense. I have already instructed the Government, the Office, all our team, and the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to develop and present the key elements of such an export system," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

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According to the Head of State, agreements are already in place to launch export-import platforms in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East.

"The task is to have these key platforms operational by the end of the year. I expect that opening exports and launching new joint productions, along with attracting investment into Ukraine, will enable us to significantly scale our defense industry," the President concluded.

Dick Schoof assured that Ukraine can count on the Netherlands' support. According to him, the Netherlands also plans to play an important role in counter-drone programs, given recent violations of European airspace by Russian UAVs. The Prime Minister noted that Ukraine's defense industry has shown the ability to overcome challenges with ingenuity and determination, and that, therefore, the Netherlands is interested in deepening cooperation and implementing various initiatives.

The Head of State awarded Dick Schoof the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, I class, and also conferred the Orders of Merit, III class, on the Chief of Defense of the Armed Forces of Norway, General Eirik Kristoffersen, and the Netherlands' National Armaments Director, Vice Admiral Jan Willem Hartman.

ph	6 October 2025 - 15:09