October 13, 2023
Ukraine is prioritizing domestic arms manufacturing and comprehensive digitalization efforts for weapons accounting, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Oct. 12.
“The Minister of Strategic Industries has already presented reports to me on several fronts: armor, missiles, and ATGMs. Today, at the staff meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister for Innovations presented a report on EW – electronic warfare. We are developing a comprehensive program for all these directions with clear timelines and volumes,” he said late on Oct. 12.
The announcement comes at a time of uncertainty surrounding future U.S. support for Ukraine. Washington has contributed the vast majority of defensive capabilities such as aerial defense platforms and modern artillery systems.
While President Biden’s administration has signaled unwavering support in public, positive rhetoric will be bound by legislative realities as the bitterly divided U.S. Congress struggles to elect its next speaker.
Zelensky has emphasized digitalization to help Ukraine shake off pervasive corruption in its government and military.
“Digitalization will provide a clear understanding of how our warriors are being supplied and where deficits are occurring and how they are being filled. This is crucial so that we can promptly show every one of our partners information about each unit of weaponry supplied. It’s essential that the reports here in Kyiv match the actual facts on the front lines.”
In September, Zelensky fired Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov after serious criticism from the international news media and Ukrainian civil society groups, citing the need for new approaches towards the war.
https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-ukraine-prioritizing-domestic-arms-production-and-digitization/
In many ways, it’ll be best for Ukraine to produce its own weapons and ammo. It’s already made great progress in this direction and much more is on the horizon. We see that Ukraine cannot fully rely on its friends in this regard, seeing the infestation of cowardice and pro-fascist/pro-mafia politicians in the EU, NATO, and even in the US Congress.
Weapons, unfortunately, has become a high priority item for the majority of countries across this globe, since the start of this war has shown their importance. Ukraine will be a key player in this field.
Ukraine is learning the same lesson that Israel learned over several wars; Good allies can help but you can only truly rely on yourself for your own defense.
Feckless politicians abound in all countries, public approval and support can can with the wind, aid comes with strings firmly attached and Russia has deep pockets when it comes to influence buying.
Like Israel, Ukraine needs an innovative arms industry not only for national defense but it also buys their own influence and income generation.
They need to parly their heavy and tech industries to build their own tanks, The Leo 2 with a later upgrade to the Kh-51 Panther would be ideal. As well as the CV-90 APC and/or surplus Bradleys.
Next double down on their rocketry. Expand Stunga, Neptune production and put the Grom2 into production. Once that is on track take their Soviet era SS-18 design and scale back the range while increasing the conventional payload. A range of 1500 miles will hit everything east of the Urals worth bothering with.
Then there is aviation. domestic helicopters would be nice but a fighter would be better. I still say the Gripin is the all round best model for Ukraines needs. Saab will be very interested in licensing domestic production.
And least but certainly not least drones, lots and lots of drones. recon, strike, and Kamikaze. Ukraine has lots of designs so they need to settle on a few of each to standardize production and training. Surplus F-15s for greater punch. The Israelis worship the planes and buy as many as they can.
There are other areas such a Air defense. However it is doubtful Ukraine produce ALL of the defense needs. As advanced as Israel is they still rely heavily on the US. Even the US relies on it’s allies for proven designs to save R&D. (Something Isolationists in the US seem to not know or want to forget) However if Ukraine can hit these big areas they will have a strong core of self reliance to secure their sovereignty regardless of the whims of public opinion.
Very good points, Sir Marcodian, and there’s nothing to add.