Ukraine pursues domestic weapons push to bridge air defense gap

Ukraine is pursuing long-term domestic arms manufacturing alongside short-term tactical solutions to address severe air defense shortages following intensified Russian ballistic missile attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that setting up local production of U.S.-licensed Patriot air defense systems will take from 12 months to several years due to regulatory procedures and licensing requirements. To address this multi-year vulnerability, two Ukrainian enterprises are developing indigenous ballistic missiles capable of striking targets deep inside Russian-controlled territory.

In the near term, Ukrainian forces are adopting the locally produced "Equalizer" glide bomb kit, developed by DG Industry and Brave1. The system converts standard unguided aerial bombs into precision-guided munitions compatible with Soviet-era fighter jets, offering a strategic option to reduce reliance on Western military hardware.

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