Ukraine became the world’s largest importer of major arms in the period 2020–2024, with its imports increasing nearly a hundredfold compared with 2015–19. The country has also reformed its own arms industry, ramping up production since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Author: Sasha Vakulina
Published on: 11/03/2025 | 00:00:00

AI Summary:
Ukraine is the largest importer of major arms globally between 2020 and 2024. Around 35% of all weapons needed are now produced locally, compared to less than 10% at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Europe currently supplies 30% of Ukraine’s military needs, while the US provides another 40%. Yet, Ukraine can self-produce even more, Ukraine’s Strategic Industries Minister says. Ukraine opened private companies’ access to defence technologies owned by the state. The main achievement of Ukraine is different, however, Smetanin said. “We have a new generation of weapons constructors and developers,” Smetin said, adding. Ukraine unveiled a new domestically produced missile drone dubbed the “Peklo” in December. This latest addition to the country’s arsenal has a reported range of 700 kilometres. By the end of 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the serial production of the long-range Palyanytsia missile drone was underway. The Neptune is the weapon used to sink the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Washington is now pausing its military shipments to Kyiv. “This is the US licence and nothing can be done without their approval,” Smetanin concludes.

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