Ukraine is calling on NATO to fund the production of 20 million drones
Ukraine is capable of producing up to 20 million drones and thousands of long-range missiles annually, but it needs urgent funding from international partners to fully realize this potential.
Mstislav Banik, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defense, appealed to NATO member states to accelerate military and political assistance.
The official appeal was made during the official’s online address at the Spring Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, which took place in Lithuania this year.
The event was attended by approximately 250 parliamentarians from Alliance countries and partner states.
The representative of the Ministry of Defense briefed the allies on the critical needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces amid intense combat operations on the front lines.
Key priorities included funding for air defense systems through the “Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List,” the procurement of missiles for Patriot systems, and 155mm artillery shells.
The official placed particular emphasis on the advisability of direct investment in Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex. Provided funding is allocated, domestic factories are ready to reach full capacity in just a few months.
“For Ukraine, it is most important to procure weapons and military equipment that can be delivered to the front lines as early as this year. Our industry has unique production capabilities and is capable of producing up to 20 million drones annually, as well as thousands of missiles for deep strikes and air defense,” emphasized Mstislav Banik.
Special attention was paid during the session to the technological transformation of the modern battlefield.
Thanks to the effective use of medium-range drones, the Ukrainian military carries out approximately 5,000 strikes per month at distances exceeding 20 kilometers.
This allows them to successfully block the Russian army’s logistics routes deep in the rear and significantly reduces the cost of conducting defensive operations.
The official noted that the implementation of unique digital products allows the armed forces to conduct reconnaissance and analysis in real time.
To coordinate these processes, the relevant ministry is engaging specialists with actual combat experience. The ministry’s team aims to combine strategic planning with a clear understanding of current needs directly on the front lines.
“I say this from my own experience in operating FPV drones and commanding a unit. Currently, at the Ministry of Defense, our entire team combines a strategic vision with a deep understanding of the battlefield so that every decision clearly aligns with the most important priorities of our military,” the Deputy Minister noted.
To maintain a technological edge over the enemy, Ukraine needs the systematic infusion of foreign capital.
Mstislav Banik called on NATO countries to allocate additional funds, which, together with a loan from the European Union, will allow Ukraine to reach the target of $60 billion in defense aid for the current year.
At the same time, he assured that such cooperation would be mutually beneficial for both sides.
The Ukrainian side possesses unique experience in waging a full-scale war against a technologically advanced adversary and is ready to share its accumulated knowledge with Western armies.
This will help modernize the defense doctrines of NATO countries and strengthen their readiness for future challenges.
This was stated by Mstislav Banik, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine.
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