Ukraine boosts strike drone production to compensate for ammunition shortages

General Havryliuk tells the BBC that Western equipment requires rounds of 155 mm caliber. Ukraine plans to produce such shells domestically. The official expects that next year the Ukrainian industry will produce enough to cover the gap between what the troops on the front line need and the amount of ammunition that the allies can provide.

For now, Ukraine is ramping up production of Soviet-style shells.

Read also: 155-mm and 152-mm shells for Ukraine: Is there any good news?

The Western countries experienced great difficulties trying to ensure that their own goals of supplying Ukraine with ammunition were met. The EU promised to send one million artillery shells by March 2024. But so far, only less than half have been delivered.

Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, the United States has provided Ukraine with more than two million 155-mm artillery rounds. But its own stockpile has also run out, so last summer it decided to send Ukraine controversial cluster munitions. This decision was criticized by many.

Kyiv relies on development of its defense industry

Next year, together with its American partners, Ukraine hopes to produce missiles for the S-300 and Buk air defense systems. Ammunition for these Soviet weapons is also running out.

"We understand that it is impossible to compare the resources of Russia and Ukraine. Because the Russian Federation has a powerful military-industrial complex that provides an advantage, including in human resources and equipment. Therefore, to gain an advantage on the battlefield, we need a technological advantage," the deputy minister emphasizes.

He also says that Kyiv expects long-range missiles from its partners. 

Havryliuk also believes that the allies will continue to provide assistance as before. 

"Not only the EU supports us, but each European country individually. For example, last month, Germany gave us an aid package of about EUR 1.5 billion, which included powerful air defense systems, artillery ammunition, etc. For the next year, we have an agreement with the Netherlands, and they have planned funds worth EUR 2 billion to support Ukraine," Havryliuk said.

And since the U.S. Congress did not go on winter recess, he believes that the issue of new funds for Ukraine may be resolved soon.