Ukrainian enterprises significantly increased production of cruise missiles in 2024 - Strategic Industry Ministry

The Ministry of Strategic Industry reports an eight-fold increase in the production of cruise missiles in Ukraine in 2024 compared to the previous year. The production of long-range drones and the total volume of weapons manufactured within the country also increased significantly.

This was stated by the Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin during a briefing on the Day of the Gunsmith, Suspilne reports.

As Smetanin noted, in 2024 the Ukrainian defense industry demonstrated unprecedented growth.

If a few years ago the country produced only one model of cruise missile - Neptun, now Ukraine has "a lot of new products, which ensured an eight-fold increase in production compared to 2023".

He also noted the increase in the production of long-range drones: their production increased more than twice compared to 2023 and 22 times compared to 2022.

In total, 324 new models of weapons were created in Ukraine in 2024. According to the ministry, last year Ukraine produced weapons worth a total of USD 9 billion.

"We are already seeing growth this year. We will have the ability to produce military equipment worth USD 35 billion within Ukraine by the end of this year," Smetanin added.

Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Strategic Issues Oleksandr Kamyshin noted that today the domestic defense industry is capable of providing the Armed Forces of Ukraine with almost the entire range of necessary military goods.

"Today, according to various estimates, from 30% to 40% of what our front is fighting with is produced in Ukraine. This is our economy. As of last year, a significant part of the GDP is already our defense industry. I am sure that after the end of the war, with our victory, we will be able and will export our weapons," Kamyshin said.