Lizzie Johnson: Ukraine ramps up weapons output over fears of US cuts

Irish Independent

22-04-2025

Success – a sign that the Ukrainian-made, self-propelled howitzer was properly built. A few more tests would confirm it, then the artillery piece would return to the factory for final tweaks and fresh paint. Soon, it would ship out to the front, a key feature of Ukraine's scramble to bulk up its weapons systems ahead of any potential aid cuts from Washington.
Production of the Bohdana – Ukrainian for 'God-given' – has surged in the course of the war against Russia, soaring from just six per month in 2023 to more than 20 in 2025 as part of a partnership with Ukraine's European allies that may well represent the future of the country's arms industry.
On April 8, Europe announced a fresh disbursement of €1bn – from the windfall profits of frozen Russian assets – for building more howitzers. It is the largest sum earmarked specifically for Ukrainian artillery production thus far – part of more than €20bn to be disbursed by Europe for the country's defence sector over the next year in place of just sending weapons.
'First, it's cheaper,' said Katarina Mathernova, the EU ambassador to Ukraine. 'Second, it's faster. Third, you cut away transport and logistics expenses and time. Fourth, it helps the economy grow.'
As Biden-era stocks dwindle, doubts have festered about whether Europe can fully compensate for a possible halt to American aid, particularly for key capabilities such as air defences.
A European official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to share internal deliberations, said more countries were eyeing the model of pouring money into Ukraine's defence industry instead of dispatching weapons, offering a faster route as Europe's own supplies run dry after years of funnelling weapons to Kyiv.
The strategy also allows Nato countries to use Ukraine as a testing ground for developing weapons, such as drones, in which they don't have as much experience, the official said.
The 155mm Bohdana, with its impressive 40km range, is the first Ukrainian-made Nato-calibre howitzer and could help guarantee the country's security.
'It's a win-win,' the European official added. 'It's cheaper for us. They need to produce. And the Ukrainians are teaching us a lot.'
While the battles of drones have increasingly characterised the front lines of the war, artillery remains a key part of the conflict.
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During the early years of the war when Russia massively outgunned Ukraine, the United States other countries rushed howitzers to the front line to stave off the Russian advance.
Ukraine's soldiers are now adept at operating the artillery, which it can produce itself without relying on other countries. Compared with drones, the howitzers can more effectively suppress trench operations, stop assaults and kill opponents.
The Washington Post was allowed a rare visit to see the testing of the Bohdanas, both towed and self-propelled – an operation so sensitive that The Post agreed not to disclose the exact location of the training facility in western Ukraine.
Miles down a dirt road, the brisk mountain air cracked with the pop-pop-pop of distant gunfire as a half-dozen soldiers in balaclavas slotted the next round of ammunition into the Bohdana.
Nearby, artillery shells and beige tubes of propellant charge were mounded atop a tarp, some stamped with 'US Army Picatinny Arsenal' – the name of the New Jersey facility that manufactures much of America's weaponry and ammunition.
The soldiers stepped back and yelled 'Cannon!'
Noise-cancelling headphones clamped over their ears, they opened their mouths in anticipation of the blast.
In a flash of orange, the Bohdana fired again, pummelling the mountainside, now scraped bare of trees and scarred by past hits. The barrel smoked. The testing of the first Bohdana complete, a second was manoeuvred into position.
Arsen Zhumadilov – the director of the defence ministry's defence procurement agency – watched, noting that Ukraine had made 'huge strides' in manufacturing Nato-calibre weaponry since Russia invaded in 2022, thanks to joint efforts between the government and private arms manufacturers.
While it hasn't been enough for Ukraine to win the war, the increase in production has helped the country become more self-sufficient. More than 85pc of the parts needed for the Bohdana are made in Ukraine – a figure that's expected to increase to 95pc by the end of the year.
At the training facility, a final blast from the Bohdana shook the ice off the roof of a nearby building. A cloud of dust and earth again billowed off the mountain.
'If you want to live in peace, you have to be ready for war,' said Vitalii Zagudaiev, chief executive of KZTS, which builds Bohdanas.
The tests finished for the second self-propelled howitzer, a soldier – who specialised in the artillery's computer programming – walked up the hillside, a plastic grocery bag slung over one arm. As was tradition, she reached inside, handing out two jelly sweets to each onlooker – a bit of sweetness for each success.