During a high-profile ceremony in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a significant shift in Ukraine’s military strategy, emphasizing the need to increase the proportion of domestically manufactured weapons to 50% within six months. The directive was delivered as he introduced Denys Shmyhal, the newly appointed Defense Minister, who will oversee the implementation of this plan.
Zelenskyy highlighted that this initiative is crucial for reducing Ukraine’s reliance on foreign arms suppliers and enhancing the country’s self-sufficiency in defense production. The decision comes amid ongoing military operations against Russia, underscoring the urgency to bolster national defense capabilities. The President’s emphasis on local production is also seen as a strategic move to strengthen domestic industries and support the war effort.
The plan involves accelerating the development of existing weapon systems and ramping up production capacity to meet the target. Officials have indicated that this will require significant investment in infrastructure and research, potentially involving international partnerships to support the initiative. The announcement has been met with cautious optimism, with some experts noting the importance of a robust and sustainable defense industry for national security.