Ukraine boosts ammo output, but still struggles to meet army's needs

Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin reported this. 

"From January to July, we produced ten times more than in 2022. We are talking about mortars, cannon shells and ammunition," he said, adding that the level of ammunition production is still insufficient to meet the army's needs. 

Kamyshin noted that Ukraine is constantly looking for partners to strengthen its weapons production capacity and join forces to ensure that the army receives the necessary resources faster.

The minister added that Ukraine will be able to become an arsenal of the free world, as it can offer international arms and ammunition manufacturers the best conditions for cooperation. This way, they will be able to produce and test their products in a real war.

"To produce in Ukraine, to test products in Ukraine, to conduct research and development in Ukraine, to modernize the product in Ukraine. At the end of the war, they will have the best product," he said, noting that the defense industry will be developing dynamically for years.

He also emphasized the need for zero tolerance for corruption in wartime.

"Our team involves young people in the company's structure; they do not want to spoil their reputation. There have never been any corruption scandals in my management. Corruption in peacetime is a crime, in wartime it is high treason," the minister concluded.

• On July 26, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that the government has allocated UAH 40 billion this year to invest in Ukrainian-made drones.