Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the nation’s defense industry now meets 40% of its front-line armament needs and could reach 50% by the end of 2025. Speaking at Kyiv’s third International Defense Industries Forum, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s domestic arms sector has fully transitioned into a wartime footing with a sharp rise in production.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine is currently manufacturing 40 Bohdana 155 mm self-propelled howitzers per month, a figure that outpaces peacetime European standards. France’s CAESAR production line is expected to reach eight systems per month in 2025, while Germany’s PzH 2000 and RCH 155 programs are still operating at single-digit output levels.
The 2S22 Bohdana, a NATO-standard 155 mm wheeled artillery system, features a range of up to 50 kilometers and is deployed on both 6×6 and 8×8 truck chassis. Known for its high mobility and “shoot-and-scoot” capability, the weapon enables rapid repositioning to evade counter-battery fire — a critical advantage in modern warfare.
Although Kyiv’s production claims remain difficult to independently verify due to wartime secrecy, the figures underscore Ukraine’s strategic shift toward industrial self-sufficiency. Expanding domestic output not only sustains front-line operations but also creates opportunities to finance future procurements through defense exports.
Zelenskyy further revealed plans to reach $35 billion in drone and missile production potential by next year — a bold goal that reflects Ukraine’s ambition to establish itself as a significant defense producer on the global stage.
