Ukraine rapidly ramping up production of key weapons in its war with russia – The Washington Post

Amid concerns about reduced US support, Ukraine is ramping up production of a key weapon in its standoff with russia – artillery.

As the future of the war becomes increasingly uncertain, European allies are investing directly in Ukrainian-made artillery, including the Bohdana self-propelled guns, whose production has skyrocketed during the war with russia, from six per month in 2023 to more than 20 in 2025, according to The Washington Post.

One European official said that more and more countries are considering pouring money into Ukraine’s defense industry instead of supplying weapons, offering a faster route as Europe’s own stockpiles are running low after years of supplying weapons to Kyiv.

The strategy also allows NATO countries to use Ukraine as a testing ground for weapons, such as drones, in which they do not have as much experience, the official said.

“It’s a win-win,” the European official added. “It’s cheaper for us. They need to produce. And the Ukrainians are teaching us a lot.”

As the WP notes, despite the increase in the number of drones on the front lines, artillery remains a key part of the conflict. Compared to drones, artillery can more effectively suppress trench operations, stop assaults and kill opponents.

At the same time, Arsen Zhumadilov, the director of the Defense Ministry’s defense procurement agency, noted that Ukraine has made “tremendous progress” in producing NATO-caliber weapons since russia’s invasion in 2022. According to him, more than 85 percent of the parts needed for the Bohdana are produced in Ukraine, and by the end of the year this figure should increase to 95 percent.

"Now self-propelled howitzers are being produced in Ukraine in quantities that are unparalleled in Europe," Zhumadilov said.

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