Ukraine turns to domestic weapons amid Patriot production delays

Ukraine is seeking to strengthen its defense capabilities with domestic technology as delays in U.S. licensing hamper plans to locally manufacture Patriot air defense systems, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Establishing local production of Patriot systems could take up to several years, leaving the country vulnerable to intensified Russian ballistic missile strikes.

To mitigate weapon shortages, Ukraine is procuring newly tested domestic technology, including the "Equalizer" precision glide bomb kit developed by DG Industry and the Brave1 cluster. The module converts standard unguided bombs into high-precision long-range munitions compatible with both Soviet-era jets and Western aircraft. Simultaneously, two domestic defense companies are working to develop Ukrainian ballistic missiles to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, though technical hurdles remain before mass production can begin.

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