Ukraine Is Outproducing Europe with 20 Howitzers a Month—Now It Needs More Funding to Keep Going

At the Second International Defense Industries Forum, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine can now manufacture up to 20 Bohdana self-propelled howitzers each month, averaging about 15.

With an annual production rate of 180-240 howitzers, Ukraine is on track to surpass Europe’s top arms producers. For comparison, Western partners have supplied around 600 artillery systems since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, and Ukraine has lost over 100 in combat. Now, Ukraine can not only replace those losses but also strengthen its firepower.

Europe's largest howitzer producer

Producing 180-240 howitzers annually is an impressive achievement. Some analysts suggest Ukraine’s production might exceed the combined output of all European nations.

France, with its CAESAR howitzers, is Ukraine’s closest competitor, producing 6 to 12 units monthly, though exact figures remain undisclosed. While the CAESAR is twice the price of the Bohdana, it comes with technological advantages. Recently, the CAESAR manufacturer opened a subsidiary in Ukraine, KNDS, which will handle repairs.

Defence Express also reports on the production capacities of other European countries:

• PzH-2000 from KNDS: Current contract for 10 units, with delivery scheduled for 2026.

• Zuzana 2 from Konštrukta-Defence (Slovakia): Contract for 24 units for Ukraine, signed in 2022, with partial fulfillment.

• Dana-M2 from Excalibur Army (Czechia): Contract for 26 units, signed before Russia’s full-scale invasion, now completed.

While Europe has several major arms manufacturers, their production rates currently trail behind Ukraine’s. Much of this data is classified, so the full picture isn’t always clear. However, as the only European country actively at war, Ukraine is pushing its production to new heights. The 20 units per month could be just the beginning.

How to further boost howitzer production

Ukraine’s main barrier to scaling up domestic weapons production is a lack of funding. For 2024, the state has already placed over $4 billion in orders, but the industry could fulfill up to $20 billion worth of contracts.

President Zelenskyy and the government have emphasized that Ukraine can increase production across nearly all types of military equipment (aside from tanks and aircraft). For instance, Ukraine has contracted over 1 million drones for 2024, with production capacity for 2025 expected to reach up to 4 million drones and UAVs. The missing piece is financing.

One standout example of international cooperation is Denmark, which has consistently ordered equipment from Ukrainian manufacturers since early 2024. In July, Denmark ordered 18 Bohdana howitzers for Ukraine’s armed forces, and by mid-September, all units were operational. Denmark has since announced additional orders worth over $600 million to strengthen Ukraine’s defense industry and military capabilities.

Such partnerships are among the most effective ways for Ukraine to quickly acquire weapons. Another notable example is the French-German holding company KNDS, which has launched operations in Ukraine. KNDS will handle repairs, supply parts, and manufacture 155mm shells specifically for systems like the Bohdana. Joint production in Ukraine also addresses logistics and speed, both of which are crucial in this intense war.