Ukraine pursues domestic missile production to counter air defense shortages

Ukraine is stepping up efforts to manufacture domestic weaponry to reduce reliance on Western defense supplies amid heavy Russian ballistic missile strikes. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed two Ukrainian companies are developing indigenous ballistic missiles, though technical hurdles delay mass production. Meanwhile, localized manufacturing of U.S. Patriot air defense systems faces delays ranging from 12 months to several years due to licensing procedures and administrative friction.

To counter immediate vulnerabilities, Kyiv is procuring the "Equalizer" precision glide bomb kit, created by DG Industry and state defense incubator Brave1. The system converts conventional aerial bombs into long-range precision munitions compatible with Soviet-era and modern Western aircraft, offering scalable long-range strike capabilities while long-term air defense projects develop.

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