Ukraine advances domestic missile projects amid air defense shortages

Ukraine is expanding its domestic arms manufacturing to address critical air defense shortages and frequent Russian ballistic missile attacks. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that producing American Patriot systems under US licensing could take between 12 months and several years due to bureaucratic delays and licensing steps.

In response to immediate threats, Ukraine's defense forces are acquiring the "Equalizer" glide bomb system, developed by DG Industry alongside the Brave1 technology cluster. The module converts unguided munitions into standoff precision weapons capable of deployment from Soviet-era aircraft and Western jets. Meanwhile, two Ukrainian companies are developing native ballistic missiles, though technical challenges continue to delay mass production.

Sources: NEXTA, NV, Point, The Insider, Українська правда.