Ukraine to start exporting weapons to help pay for war against Russia
As the conflict draws on, Ukraine has developed its domestic arms manufacturing, especially in areas like drones
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that Kyiv plans to begin exporting certain types of weapons, such as naval drones, to finance its domestic military production.
Ukraine has been heavily dependent on Western funding and arms deliveries since Russia invaded in 2022 but, despite the war raging on, has also developed its own domestic manufacturing, notably of drones.
“We already have certain types of weapons in much larger quantities than we actually need today in Ukraine,” Zelensky said in his daily address.
He cited naval drones, anti-tank and “some other types” of weapons as examples.
“Thanks to controlled exports, we will be able to accumulate money for more production of the things our army needs,” Zelensky added.
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He mentioned several potential destinations for the exports, including the United States, Europe, and “other partners around the world who are also interested in Ukrainian weapons and from whom Ukraine has received various forms of support”.