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Defense industry of Ukraine

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Kazhan UAV

The defense industry of Ukraine is a strategically important sector and a large employer in Ukraine. Before the start of the Russo-Ukrainian War arms were mostly exported. As of March 2025 exports are banned[1] and manufacturing is running below capacity due to lack of money.[2]

Ukraine is a world leader in drone technology, but cannot produce equipment to intercept hypersonic and ballistic missiles.[2]

Products

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Drones

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Before 2014 and the spark of the Russo-Ukrainian War, Ukraine had lacked modern UAVs and relied upon outdated Soviet models such as the Tupolev Tu-141 and Tu-143. After 2014, there became a surge in the development of UAVs from private organizations such as Athlon Avia and Aerorozvidka who developed the A1-CM Furia and R18 respectively, however the research and development into drone warfare was slowed by the bureaucratic defense procurement system which limited investment and slowed production.

In 2022, after the Russian invasion, Ukraine expanded its production of drones and began to produce a wide variety of drones, mainly UAVs but also sea drones and ground drones en mass to counter the Russian onslaught. Civilian workshops were established all over Ukraine, often in home garages or kitchens and under programs such as the People's FPV and SocialDrone UA, where participants are given instructions on how to source parts and assemble drones.[3][4] Non-profits such as the Wild Hornets and Escadrone have been established to fabricate and deliver large amounts of combat and support drones to the armed forces. By 2023, over 200 Ukrainian companies were involved in the drone sector, with many securing state contracts.[5] By the end of 2024 it was estimated that 96% of all unmanned aerial vehicles used by the military were domestically manufactured in Ukraine.[citation needed] As of 2025 the industry is dependant on Chinese components.[6]

Notable drones include:

  • The Palianytsia turbojet missile-drone dubbed a "new class of weaponry" by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and unveiled on Ukraine's Independence Day.
  • The Baba Yaga classed heavy bomber drones, which can also deliver supplies and serve as a "mother ship" for smaller drones. Several models are referred to as Baba Yaga including Aerorozvidka's R18 as well as Khazan, Nemesis, and Vampire drones.
  • The Liutyi long-range one-way attack drone, developed in late 2022 and first used in 2023 developed by Ukroboronprom. Often described as Ukraine's domestic equivalent to the Shahed 131 drones, the Liutyi is often used alongside other drones to attack military and energy infrastructure within Russia.[7]
  • The Dragon drone which are developed as incendiary drones and designed to spray molten thermite to destroy potential obstructions and cover. The first documented use was in August 2024.[8]
  • The MAGURA V5 unmanned surface vehicle which was introduced in 2023 and can serve multiple roles including reconnaissance, kamikaze attacks on ships, and a as an anti-aircraft platform.

Ammunition

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125mm tank shells, as well as 122mm, 152mm, and 155mm artillery shells are in mass production[9] Small-arms bullet cartridges re-entered production in 2024, with 5.45×39 and 5.56×45mm ammunition being produced for the first time since 2014, due to the Russian seizure of the Luhansk Ammunition Plant crippling Ukraine's ability to manufacture bullets.[10]

Structure

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BM Oplot, produced by the KMDB guided onto a tank transporter

Ukraine's defense industry is organized around Ukroboronprom, a state-owned conglomerate of over 130 companies. These companies include Soviet era giants such as Ivchenko-Progress aircraft design bureau that was opened in 1945, to newer companies such as RPC Fort which came into existence in the 1990s.

In August 2018, the Groysman government simplified the procedure for granting economic entities the right to export and import military goods and goods that contain data that constitute a state secret.[11] This opened the market for private defense companies, which previously could only work with foreign clients through a state-owned company.[11]

In October 2018, speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington, US Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker said that the United States had lifted the arms embargo on Ukraine.[12] This gave a boost to the international cooperation and development of private companies.

On 22 July 2020, the new government ministry Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine was established to aid and develop Ukraine's defence industry.[13]

Major manufacturers

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Antonov An-70

Aircraft

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See: Aviation industry of Ukraine [uk]

Armored vehicles, automotive, and special engineering equipment

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Engine

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Shipbuilding

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Main article: Shipbuilding in Ukraine

An * indicates that the city is located in Russian occupied Crimea. Ukraine rejects Russia's annexation of Crimea as does the majority of sovereign states in the world, but Russia has had de facto control over Crimea since 2014.

Rocket

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Electronics

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Radiolocation

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Artillery

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Firearms

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Protection gear

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Munition

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Explosives

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Optics

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Other

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Exports

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In 2012, Ukraine's export-oriented arms industry had reached the status of world's 4th largest arms exporter.[14] Since the start of the war in Donbas, Ukraine's military industry has focused more on its internal arms market and as a result slipped to the 9th spot among top global arms exporters by 2015,[15] 11th spot by 2018,[16] and the 12th spot among global arms exporters by 2019.[17] In 2019, the main importers of Ukrainian weapons were India, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.[11] As of February 2025, Ukraine is upholding its ban on the export of weapons due to the full-scale invasion, although it is expected for the ban to be lifted in 2025.[1]

History

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Soviet R-9 Desna ICBM and T-34 tank on display at the Central Armed Forces Museum (Russia), both were designed and manufactured in current Ukraine

Some Soviet ICBMs were actually built at the Yuzhmash plant in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.[18] Russia's only aircraft carrier was also built in the Ukrainian SSR, as well as a number of other Russian military ships.

From 1992 to 1996, 113 Ukrainian enterprises were engaged in dual-use goods, including weapons.[11] The lack of clear legislation resulted in an arms market where everyone earned whatever however they could, including in illegal schemes.[11] The state took control of Ukraine's defense industry in October 1996 under the company Ukrspetsexport.[11]

From 1992 to 2014, Ukrainian military exports mainly fell into three categories: new or used equipment, joint development, and maintenance of Soviet-made machinery and equipment.[11] The output of Ukrainian defense plants grew 58% in 2009, with largest growth reported by aircraft builders (77%) and ship builders (71%).[19] Until 2011, the first place for Ukraine in terms of profitability was the sale of aircraft and the provision of services for its modernization and repair.[11] In second place was armored vehicles.[11] In 2011 trade in armored vehicles (including the export of the T-84 Oplot to Thailand) replaced the military aviation export as most profitable military exports, and since then third place has traditionally been occupied by trade in air defense equipment.[11] In 2012 (by far Ukraine's most successful year of arms export)[11] Ukraine had the status of world's 4th largest arms exporter.[14] In 2013 Ukraine's defense sector manufactured a total of 11.7 billion Ukrainian hryvnia (₴) worth of goods, ₴10 billion of which were exported.[20] Prior to 2014 a major part of Ukraine's military business was the selling of Soviet-era stockpiles.[11]

Since the 2014 start of the war in Donbas, Ukraine's military industry focused more on its internal arms market and started to export significantly fewer abroad.[15] Before 2014, Ukrainian producers had not received significant revenues from the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[11] In the first 9 months of 2014, Ukraine's defense sector produced a record ₴13 billion worth of goods, and the increase was largely due to government orders for the war in Donbas.[20] Meanwhile, the Ukrainian army began to buy weapons, ammunition and equipment abroad en masse.[11] And since every year, the percentage of such imports increases.[11] As a result of Ukraine's arms manufacturing refocus on its own military needs, it slipped to the 9th spot among top global arms exporters by 2015.[15]

After 2015, Ukraine's defence industry stabilized, but Ukraine failed to return to its former exports.[11] In 2018, Ukraine occupied the 11th spot among global arms exporters.[16] And in 2019 the 12th spot.[17] According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Ukraine's share in the world arms market was 2.7% in 2009-2014 and in 2014-2018 1.3%.[11] The structure of exports also changed: the main part was made up of high-tech products such as guided anti-tank missiles.[11] The business of trading in Soviet stocks has come to naught - the warehouses were emptied by the war in Donbas.[11] In 2019, the main importers of Ukrainian weapons were India, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.[11] Before 2020 there was a lot of corruption.[21]

One of major part of the exports was gas turbine engines for ships[22][23] (mainly for the Indian Navy), helicopter engines,[24][25][26] and aircraft engines for unmanned aerial vehicles like Baykar Bayraktar Akıncı and Baykar Bayraktar Kızılelma.

The full-scale Russian invasion saw massive growth in the volume and range of military hardware being produced. By 2024, hundreds of arms producers and military equipment startups were reported to be active, collectively employing more than 300,000 workers.[27]

In addition to drones, artillery and their munitions have also begun mass production in Ukraine, with the domestically produced howitzer the 2S22 Bohdana being a notable example. In 2022, only one Bohdana existed, which was the sole functioning prototype. By 2023, the Bohdana's manufacturer, the Kramatorsk Heavy Duty Machine Tool Building Plant, had started mass production and by 2024, over 184 Bohdanas had been produced. 82mm mortar mines, 125mm tank shells, as well as 122mm, 152mm, and 155mm artillery shells have also entered mass production[9] Small-arms bullet cartridges re-entered production in 2024, with 5.45×39 and 5.56×45mm ammunition being produced for the first time since 2014, due to the Russian seizure of the Luhansk Ammunition Plant crippling Ukraine's ability to manufacture bullets.[10]

Ukraine has also made strides in the area of missile production, with Ukraine producing around 100 R-360 Neptune cruise missiles in 2024 alone. Ukraine has also created a new class of weaponry dubbed missile-drones, which are low-cost, turbojet powered missiles designed for long-range strikes within Russia via swarm attacks. Notable missile-drones include the Palianytsia, Trembita, and Peklo types, all of which have entered serial production.[28][29][30][unreliable source?]Since 2006, Ukraine has worked on developing a ballistic missile system that would replace the aging and depleting OTR-21 Tochka. As such, funding for the project began but was canceled due to the 2008 financial crisis. After the start of the War in Donbas, interest in the project was reignited, and research and development began, with the chassis of the transporter erector launcher being completed in May 2017 and two Hrim-2 prototypes had been completed by April 2019.[31] Funding was to be set aside in February 2021 to produce a test battery of two transporter erector launchers, two loading machines, and two control units, however it was delayed until June 2023.[32][33] In August 2024, Zelenskyy announced that a ballistic missile had been successfully test fired and it is rumored that the Hrim has seen successful deployment at Saky air base and Crimea.[34][35]

Milestones and accomplishments

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Western weapons commitments

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On 30 September 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a forum for 250 Western arms manufacturers, from 30 countries, in Kyiv. President Zelenskyy said that he wants to increase domestic weapons production and manufacture more Western weapons.

Saying: "Ukraine is in such a phase of the defence marathon when it is very important, critical to go forward without retreating. Results from the frontline are needed daily," Zelenskiy told executives representing more than 250 Western weapons producers...We are interested in localizing production of equipment needed for our defence and each of those advanced defence systems which are used by our soldiers...It will be a mutually beneficial partnership. I think it is a good time and place to create a large military hub,”

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry claimed that 20 agreements between Ukraine and Western companies have been signed already.[44]

On February 3, 2022, a contract was signed between Ukraine and Turkey to bolster their partnership in the production of unmanned aerial systems, with an over 30,000 square foot factory near Kyiv to be built Turkish company Baykar. The factory will focus on the production on the TB2 or TB3 model drones and employ around 500 people, including 300 Ukrainian engineers and technicians, with the goal of producing around 120 units every year. On February 2024 it was announced that construction of the factory had begun and would take 12 months to finish and that the project would cost USD 95.5 million over the next decade. The factory will also focus on the training of personnel in the use of Baykar drones as well as maintenance and modernization.[45][46][47][48]

In 2023 it was announced that the Ukrainian Defense Industry and the Czech company Česká zbrojovka a.s. had made an agreement of the licensed assembly and later production BREN 2 assault rifles in Ukrainian facilities under the "Sich" brand, with active assembly being announced later that year. Talks of localized production were announced in February 2025 during a meeting between the Ministry of Defense and the Czech Ministry of Defense as well as representatives of leading Czech defense companies.[49][50][51]

On March 3, 2024 German company Rheinmetall announced its plans to build at least 4 factories in Ukraine which would focus on manufacturing artillery shells, military vehicles, gunpowder, and anti-aircraft weapons. On June 10, 2024 it was announced that the first factory was opened, which would focus on the manufacturing and maintenance of military vehicles including the TPz Fuchs armored personnel carriers, Lynx fighting vehicles, and the Panther KF51 tanks.[52][53]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Idex 2025: Ukraine defence firms woo foreign buyers in hope of deals when export ban ends".
  2. ^ a b "As Trump suspends military aid, what are the brutal chokeholds on Ukraine?". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  3. ^ Hambling, David (7 March 2024). "How Ukraine Is Building A Drone Army At Its Kitchen Tables".
  4. ^ O'Grady, Siobhan; Khudov, Konstantin (28 April 2024). "As Ukraine runs low on ammo, civilians build troops DIY drones at home".
  5. ^ "Ukrainian UAV production surges; over 200 companies involved in the sector in 2023". 1 February 2024.
  6. ^ Franke, Ulrike (10 January 2025). "Drones in Ukraine: Four lessons for the West". ECFR. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  7. ^ Romaniuk, Roman (13 May 2024). "Story of Liutyi (Fierce) Ukrainian long-range drone which burns Russian refineries".
  8. ^ Suciu, Peter (5 October 2024). "Ukraine Dragon Drones Are Now Burning Russian Tanks at 4,000 Degrees".
  9. ^ a b Yermak, Natalia (15 September 2024). "Ukraine launched production of 155-mm artillery shells, official says".
  10. ^ a b "Ukraine resumes production of ammunition for small arms". 12 September 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t (in Ukrainian) Ukrainian weapons. What Ukraine sells and buys in the arms market, Ukrayinska Pravda (28 October 2020)
  12. ^ "США скасувало ембарго на продаж зброї Україні". mil.in.ua. Militarny. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  13. ^ Government backs creation of ministry for strategic industries, Ukrinform (22 July 2020)
    (in Ukrainian) A new ministry has appeared in Ukraine, Ukrayinska Pravda (22 July 2020)
  14. ^ a b Interfax-Ukraine (18 March 2013). "Ukraine world's 4th largest arms exporter in 2012, according to SIPRI". KyivPost. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  15. ^ a b c SIPRI - Ukraine among world's ten largest arms exporters
  16. ^ a b Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Fact Sheet, March 2018, TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL ARMS TRANSFERS, 2017
  17. ^ a b UNIAN: Ukraine ranks 12th among 25 largest arms exporters
  18. ^ Putin Screwed Up – Ukraine built about 600 of Russia's ICBMs carrying about 5000 nuclear bombs and Ukraine can Give Codes to NATO and Cripple Russia's Nuclear Capability | Brian Wang | May 15, 2014
  19. ^ Ukraine may become world's sixth biggest arms trader [Kyiv Post]
  20. ^ a b "Укроборонпром за 9 месяцев изготовил продукции больше, чем за весь прошлый год". Ukrinform. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  21. ^ "The transformation of Ukraine's arms industry amid war with Russia | SIPRI". www.sipri.org. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  22. ^ India partially localizes Ukrainian gas turbine engines for ships
  23. ^ GAS TURBINE ENGINES FROM UKRAINE
  24. ^ Ukrainian aerospace company allegedly supplied military helicopter parts to Russia during war
  25. ^ Ukrainian engines for Russian helicopters: lessons learnt for the State
  26. ^ Ukraine arrests head of aircraft engine maker Motor Sich over suspected treason
  27. ^ Kuzmuk, Kateryna (21 February 2025). "The transformation of Ukraine's arms industry amid war with Russia".
  28. ^ "Ukrainian Palianytsia drone missile goes into mass production – Umerov". 4 December 2024.
  29. ^ Gyori, Boldizsar (16 December 2024). "Ukraine produces almost 100 new Peklo missile-drones, media reports".
  30. ^ "Ukraine's homegrown cruise missile Trembita ready to challenge Russian defenses". 3 August 2024.
  31. ^ "A Burst of "Thunder"". 14 February 2019.
  32. ^ "Oleksandr Myronyuk: in 2021, more than 30 thousand items of military equipment will be delivered to the troops". 16 April 2021.
  33. ^ "Ukraine develops its own long-range missile". 8 June 2023.
  34. ^ "Explosion in Crimea: What weapons Ukraine might have used in the attack in Novofedorivka". 10 August 2022. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022.
  35. ^ "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 6, 2023". 6 May 2023.
  36. ^ Official support of «Arms and Security '2022»
  37. ^ "В Україні розробляють унікальний "віртуальний" шолом для військових". www.ukrmilitary.com. Ukrainian Military Pages. 29 October 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  38. ^ Військовий софт Delta допомагав у всіх великих операціях – від потоплення «Москви» до звільнення Зміїного. Чому з ним воювати швидше
  39. ^ Україна представила власну систему ситуаційної обізнаності Delta Міністерство оборони (МОУ)
  40. ^ Ukrainian missile program: Successful tests of the “Neptune” cruise missile system were held
  41. ^ a b Experts assess most prospective weapons being developed in Ukraine
  42. ^ Saudi-Ukrainian Cooperation on Hrim Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBMs)
  43. ^ Grom Short-range ballistic missile[dead link‍]
  44. ^ Olena Harmash (30 September 2023). "Ukraine lures Western weapons makers to transform defence industry". Reuters. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  45. ^ "Turkey's Baykar to Build Plant in Ukraine in Two Years – CEO".
  46. ^ "Baykar showcased the concept of the UAV production factory in Ukraine".
  47. ^ Magid, Pasha (7 February 2024). "Turkey's drone maker Baykar begins to build plant in Ukraine".
  48. ^ "Location of Future Bayraktar-Making Plant in Ukraine Decided".
  49. ^ "Czech BREN 2 will be assembled at the facilities of Ukroboronprom enterprises".
  50. ^ "BREN 2 Assault Rifles Enter Assembly in Ukraine".
  51. ^ "Ukraine in Talks to Produce Czech Weaponry Locally". mil.in.ua. 5 February 2025.
  52. ^ "Rheinmetall to produce first armored vehicles in Ukraine in 2024 -report".
  53. ^ "Wird die Ukraine der erste Kunde für den Panther von Rheinmetall?".
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