Latest news with #Ukrainian-made


Saudi Gazette
18-07-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Ukraine to boost domestic arms production to counter Russian forces, says Zelensky
KYIV — Ukraine's new government has approved plans to expand domestic arms production to meet half the country's weapons needs within six months as it tries to push back Russian forces, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday. "We are transforming the management of the defence sector and weapons production so that within six months, the share of Ukrainian-made weapons available to our warriors will noticeably increase," Zelensky said in a speech to parliament in Kyiv. "Currently, about 40% of the weapons in the hands of our warriors are made in Ukraine. In six months, it should be no less than 50%." Ukraine has developed its own long-range drones which it uses to strike deep inside Russia with the country keen to increase its domestic production as uncertainty grows about how many more weapons shipments Western countries can provide. Meanwhile, Switzerland said on Thursday that the US Defence Department had informed it that Washington is diverting a Swiss order for Patriot air defence systems to help Ukraine, which it badly needs to improve its response to increasingly heavy Russian aerial attacks. It was not immediately clear whether the Swiss-ordered Patriots would go directly to Ukraine or would replace units in other European countries that may be donated to Kyiv. Delivery to Switzerland of the systems, worth billions of dollars, was scheduled to begin in 2027 and be completed in 2028. But the Swiss government said Washington informed it of the delay on Wednesday, adding that it was unclear how many systems would be affected. The need to adequately arm Ukraine's military is pressing as Russia looks to drive forward its summer offensive and pounds Ukrainian cities with hundreds of drones and ballistic and cruise missiles. The US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, said he couldn't give a timeframe for when Ukraine might get extra foreign weapons. "We are all moving with haste to facilitate this and get this done. Things are actually moving very quickly, but I can't verify a date that this will all be completed. I think it's going to be an ongoing movement," he told reporters in Brussels. "The plan is that there will be American-made defence equipment, capabilities, that will be sold to our European allies, that they will provide to Ukraine." British Defence Secretary John Healey said on Thursday that he and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius will chair a meeting of Ukraine's allies on Monday to discuss US President Donald Trump's weapons plans. Healey said US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and NATO leader Mark Rutte will attend the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, told the AP on Thursday that "preparations are underway" for weapons transfers to Ukraine and that NATO is working "very closely" with Germany to transfer Patriot systems. Grynkewich said at a military event in Wiesbaden that he had been ordered to "move (the weapons) out as quickly as possible." German Defence Ministry spokesperson Mitko Müller said Wednesday he couldn't confirm that anything is currently on its way to Ukraine. NATO chief Mark Rutte said in Washington on Monday that the alliance is coordinating the military support with funding from allies in Europe and Canada. He said there were commitments from Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Canada, "with more expected to follow." Trump said on 11 July that Washington will send weapons, including Patriot air defence systems, to Ukraine via NATO. Speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome a day earlier, Zelenskyy said that Germany would pay for two of the systems, while Norway has agreed to supply one. — Euronews


Euronews
17-07-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Ukraine to boost domestic weapons production, Zelenskyy says
Ukraine's new government has approved plans to expand domestic arms production to meet half the country's weapons needs within six months as it tries to push back Russian forces, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday. "We are transforming the management of the defence sector and weapons production so that within six months, the share of Ukrainian-made weapons available to our warriors will noticeably increase," Zelenskyy said in a speech to parliament in Kyiv. "Currently, about 40% of the weapons in the hands of our warriors are made in Ukraine. In six months, it should be no less than 50%." Ukraine has developed its own long-range drones which it uses to strike deep inside Russia with the country keen to increase its domestic production as uncertainty grows about how many more weapons shipments Western countries can provide. Meanwhile, Switzerland said on Thursday that the US Defence Department had informed it that Washington is diverting a Swiss order for Patriot air defence systems to help Ukraine, which it badly needs to improve its response to increasingly heavy Russian aerial attacks. It was not immediately clear whether the Swiss-ordered Patriots would go directly to Ukraine or would replace units in other European countries that may be donated to Kyiv. Delivery to Switzerland of the systems, worth billions of dollars, was scheduled to begin in 2027 and be completed in 2028. But the Swiss government said Washington informed it of the delay on Wednesday, adding that it was unclear how many systems would be affected. The need to adequately arm Ukraine's military is pressing as Russia looks to drive forward its summer offensive and pounds Ukrainian cities with hundreds of drones and ballistic and cruise missiles. The US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, said he couldn't give a timeframe for when Ukraine might get extra foreign weapons. "We are all moving with haste to facilitate this and get this done. Things are actually moving very quickly, but I can't verify a date that this will all be completed. I think it's going to be an ongoing movement," he told reporters in Brussels. "The plan is that there will be American-made defence equipment, capabilities, that will be sold to our European allies, that they will provide to Ukraine." British Defence Secretary John Healey said on Thursday that he and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius will chair a meeting of Ukraine's allies on Monday to discuss US President Donald Trump's weapons plans. Healey said US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and NATO leader Mark Rutte will attend the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, told the AP on Thursday that "preparations are underway" for weapons transfers to Ukraine and that NATO is working "very closely" with Germany to transfer Patriot systems. Grynkewich said at a military event in Wiesbaden that he had been ordered to "move (the weapons) out as quickly as possible." German Defence Ministry spokesperson Mitko Müller said Wednesday he couldn't confirm that anything is currently on its way to Ukraine. NATO chief Mark Rutte said in Washington on Monday that the alliance is coordinating the military support with funding from allies in Europe and Canada. He said there were commitments from Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Canada, "with more expected to follow." Trump said on 11 July that Washington will send weapons, including Patriot air defence systems, to Ukraine via NATO. Speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome a day earlier, Zelenskyy said that Germany would pay for two of the systems, while Norway has agreed to supply one.

Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Ukraine's Zelensky says he and Trump are considering a drone ‘mega-deal'
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and armed forces chief Oleksandr Syrskyi visiting an exhibition of Ukrainian-made drone-missiles in Kyiv, in December 2024. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are considering a deal that involves Washington buying battlefield-tested Ukrainian drones in exchange for Kyiv purchasing weapons from the US, Mr Zelensky said, in an interview with the New York Post. Mr Zelensky said his latest talks with Mr Trump focused on a deal that would help each country bolster its aerial technology. Ukrainian drones have been able to strike targets as deep as 1,300km into Russian territory. 'The people of America need this technology, and you need to have it in your arsenal,' Mr Zelensky told The Post in the interview conducted on July 16. The Ukrainian leader said drones were the key tool that has allowed his country to fight off Russia's invasion for more than three years. 'We will be ready to share this experience with America and other European partners,' he said. Ukraine is also in talks with Denmark, Norway and Germany, he said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business 5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail Singapore Two women jailed for submitting fake university certificates to MOM for employment passes Singapore Sex first, then you can sell my flat: Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment Singapore Premium China carmaker Hongqi, known for Xi Jinping's limos, to launch in Singapore in 2026 On July 17, Mr Zelensky announced unspecified future agreements with the United States which he said would strengthen his country, as he appeared in parliament to put forward his new government. Next year's US defence and national security budget request boosts spending on small drones - in part because of lessons learned during Russia's war in Ukraine, where unmanned aircraft have proven to be an integral part of low-cost, yet highly effective fighting. REUTERS


The Hill
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Ukraine aims to expand domestic arms production to 50% of needs within 6 months
A new Ukrainian government, expected to be approved Thursday, will race to expand domestic arms production to meet half the country's weapons needs within six months as it tries to push back Russia's invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says. Domestic defense manufacturing already accounts for almost 40% of weapons used by the Ukrainian military, according to Zelenskyy. As uncertainty grows about how many more weapons shipments Western countries can provide — and how quickly — Ukraine is keen to increase its output and widen its strikes on Russian soil. 'What we need is greater capacity to push the war back onto Russia's territory — back to where the war was brought from,' Zelenskyy said late Wednesday in his nightly video address. 'We must reach the level of 50% Ukrainian-made weapons within the first six months of the new government's work by expanding our domestic production.' The need to adequately arm Ukraine's military is pressing as Russia looks to drive forward its summer offensive and pounds Ukrainian cities with hundreds of drones and ballistic and cruise missiles. Meanwhile, it remained unclear when promises of U.S.-made weapons, especially Patriot missile systems crucial for stretched Ukrainian air defenses, might reach Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to send the weaponry, but it will be paid for by European countries. NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, told the Associated Press Thursday that 'preparations are underway' for weapons transfers to Ukraine and that NATO is working 'very closely' with Germany to transfer Patriot systems. Grynkewich said at a military event in Wiesbaden, Germany, that he had been ordered to 'move (the weapons) out as quickly as possible.' He said the number of weapons being transferred is classified. 'We're already in preparation phase for the first tranche of capability to start moving with respect to Patriots,' he said. An expert working group under Grynkewich is to discuss concrete planning 'very quickly but also with corresponding caution,' German Defense Ministry spokesperson Mitko Müller said Wednesday. He said that the 'exact modalities' are still being worked out, as are the 'modalities of what systems will be supplied.' He added: 'Regarding the systems that we are talking about, I can't confirm that anything is currently on the way. I'm not aware of that.' NATO chief Mark Rutte said in Washington on Monday that the alliance is coordinating the military support with funding from allies in Europe and Canada. He said there were commitments from Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Canada 'with more expected to follow.' Ukraine has also developed its own long-range drones, which it uses to strike deep inside Russia . Russian air defenses shot down 122 Ukrainian drones overnight, the country's defense ministry said Thursday. The wave of drones caused flights to be grounded at airports in Moscow and St Petersburg, although most of the drones were reportedly destroyed over the border regions of Bryansk and Kursk. ___


Boston Globe
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Ukraine aims to expand domestic arms production to 50 percent of needs within 6 months
'We must reach the level of 50% Ukrainian-made weapons within the first six months of the new government's work by expanding our domestic production.' Advertisement The need to adequately arm Ukraine's military is pressing as Russia looks to drive forward its summer offensive and pounds Ukrainian cities with hundreds of drones and ballistic and cruise missiles. Meanwhile, it remained unclear when promises of U.S.-made weapons, especially Patriot missile systems crucial for stretched Ukrainian air defenses, might reach Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to send the weaponry, but it will be paid for by European countries. NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, told the Associated Press Thursday that 'preparations are underway' for weapons transfers to Ukraine and that NATO is working 'very closely' with Germany to transfer Patriot systems. Grynkewich said at a military event in Wiesbaden, Germany, that he had been ordered to 'move (the weapons) out as quickly as possible.' He said the number of weapons being transferred is classified. Advertisement 'We're already in preparation phase for the first tranche of capability to start moving with respect to Patriots,' he said. An expert working group under Grynkewich is to discuss concrete planning 'very quickly but also with corresponding caution,' German Defense Ministry spokesperson Mitko Müller said Wednesday. He said that the 'exact modalities' are still being worked out, as are the 'modalities of what systems will be supplied.' He added: 'Regarding the systems that we are talking about, I can't confirm that anything is currently on the way. I'm not aware of that.' NATO chief Mark Rutte said in Washington on Monday that the alliance is coordinating the military support with funding from allies in Europe and Canada. He said there were commitments from Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Canada 'with more expected to follow.' Ukraine has also developed its own long-range drones, which it uses to strike deep inside Russia . Russian air defenses shot down 122 Ukrainian drones overnight, the country's defense ministry said Thursday. The wave of drones caused flights to be grounded at airports in Moscow and St Petersburg, although most of the drones were reportedly destroyed over the border regions of Bryansk and Kursk. Burrows reported from Wiesbaden, Germany. Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.