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Ukraine Becomes Europe’s New Defense Hub as Production Surges 50-Fold
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Ukraine’s domestic defense industry is now providing more than 50% of the weapons and equipment required by the country’s Defense Forces and is moving toward deeper joint production with European partners, according to a statement published by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense on February 19.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s defense-industrial base has undergone unprecedented expansion, with overall production capacity increasing 50-fold to an estimated $50 billion.
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As a result, Ukrainian manufacturers have become a central pillar of battlefield supply, delivering a majority share of the arms used by frontline forces.
The announcement was highlighted by Deputy Defense Minister adviser Hanna Hvozdyar during the panel discussion “European Industrial Deterrence: Lessons and Conclusions Directly From Ukraine and Europe” at the Munich Security Conference.
This year’s conference placed strong emphasis on political negotiations shaping Europe’s future security architecture and Ukraine’s role within it.
During the conference, Ukrainian defense companies reached several agreements with European partners covering joint production of:
reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles;
medium-range strike drones;
multirotor drone platforms;
ground-based unmanned robotic systems.
“Ukraine has already proven it can rapidly scale defense production even during a full-scale war. We are becoming a reliable partner helping Europe build a modern defense system—particularly through joint manufacturing that strengthens both our own capabilities and those of our partners,” Hvozdyar said.
International partners were also able to examine the scale and sophistication of Ukraine’s defense industry firsthand at the Ukrainian House exhibition, temporarily relocated from Davos to Munich for the duration of the conference.
The Zbroya defense showcase featured models and samples of modern Ukrainian weaponry, with particular attention focused on counter-drone systems designed to defeat Shahed-type attack drones—one of the most persistent threats faced by Ukrainian forces.
The growing industrial capacity and expanding cooperation with Europe signal a long-term shift toward integrated European defense production, positioning Ukraine not only as a recipient of military aid but increasingly as a key contributor to the continent’s collective security.
Earlier, European defense technology company STARK expanded its footprint in Ukraine with the launch of a new research and development (R&D) hub that could accelerate the delivery of advanced unmanned systems to the battlefield.
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