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Ukraine’s New Defense Minister: Half of All Frontline Weapons Will Be Made in Ukraine
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![Photo of Tetiana Frolova]( "Photo of Tetiana Frolova")
Ukraine’s new Minister of Defense, Denys Shmyhal, announced plans to raise the share of domestically produced weapons on the frontline to 50%, up from the current 35%, as was reported by Deutsche Welle on July 19.
The statement came shortly after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Shmyhal’s appointment, transitioning from his previous role as prime minister.
In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Shmyhal laid out his strategic vision for Ukraine’s defense sector, stating, “We aim to ensure that half of the weapons used at the front are produced by Ukrainian companies.”
He emphasized the need for self-reliance amid a prolonged war and signaled a shift toward greater defense-industrial autonomy.
According to Shmyhal, more than 500 Ukrainian enterprises are currently manufacturing drones, ammunition, and military vehicles, while also handling equipment repair. He stressed that international cooperation remains critical, citing dozens of signed agreements with allied states.
Among key initiatives is a joint project with Germany’s Rheinmetall, which recently opened a facility in Ukraine to service Western military hardware. “Our long-term goal is not just to repair foreign equipment on Ukrainian soil, but to produce it here,” Shmyhal said.
Earlier, Ukraine announced it will soon deploy long-range drones funded by Germany, capable of striking targets up to 1,000 kilometers away. The new systems, expected to be operational within weeks, are part of Berlin’s initiative to support Ukraine’s domestic drone production and boost strike capabilities deep behind enemy lines.
