Ukraine expands domestic missile production amid Patriot delays

Ukraine is expanding domestic military manufacturing to counter intensifying Russian ballistic strikes and bridge critical defense gaps.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that licensing and regulatory procedures will delay local production of American Patriot air defense systems for up to several years. To offset shortages, two Ukrainian defense firms are developing indigenous long-range ballistic missiles capable of striking deep into Russian rear positions, though full-scale production faces remaining technical obstacles.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian armed forces are procuring the newly tested "Equalizer" glide bomb kit, produced by DG Industry with support from the Brave1 initiative. The system transforms conventional unguided bombs into precision-guided weapons for Soviet-era and Western combat jets, helping reduce Kyiv's reliance on foreign arms imports.

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