Speaking at the third International Defence Industries Forum in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said, “Our production potential for drones and missiles alone will reach $35 billion next year.”
The President praised the rapid increase in domestic weapons manufacturing, highlighting artillery production and drone capabilities as central achievements.
He noted that Ukraine now produces 40 Bohdana self-propelled howitzers each month and delivered 2.4 million mortar and artillery shells to the front last year.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine leads Europe in drone development, with naval drones helping to push back the Russian Black Sea Fleet and reshape global maritime defence strategies.
“Never before in history has Ukrainian defence been so long-range and so felt by Russia,” he stated, adding that drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure show Ukraine’s strength.
The President spotlighted Ukrainian-made attack drones such as Liutyi, Fire Point, Shark, and Bober, and noted that over 40% of weapons at the front are now domestically produced.
“The task for manufacturers, for the Government of Ukraine, for all institutions involved is that by the end of the year no less than 50% of the weapons at the front must be our Ukrainian weapons, and this task must be accomplished,” Zelenskyy said.
He stressed the need to quickly expand production of interceptor drones and ballistic missile capabilities, pointing to successful use of Neptune cruise missiles.
“This is one of the key security tasks for the state and for all enterprises and people responsible specifically for Ukraine’s missile program,” he said.
Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukraine’s industrial potential exceeds current funding levels and called for stronger investment and cooperation with international partners.
He thanked Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof for military support and highlighted the start of joint defence productions with partner nations.
“It is time to start exporting our Ukrainian weapons – those types we have in surplus and can therefore export, to finance the types of weapons that are especially needed today here, in Ukraine, for our defense,” Zelenskyy said.
He confirmed plans to launch export-import platforms in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East by year-end to scale Ukraine’s defence industry further.
Prime Minister Schoof reaffirmed Dutch support and said the Netherlands would take an active role in counter-drone initiatives in response to Russian UAV activity in European airspace.
He noted Ukraine’s resilience in building its defence industry, saying the Netherlands is ready to deepen cooperation and pursue joint initiatives.
