Zelenskyy confirms successful flight tests of domestically produced ballistic missile

"We are focusing on missile and drone programs recently," Ukraine Defense Minister Umierov noted.

Oct 2, 2024 - 08:00
Zelenskyy confirms successful flight tests of domestically produced ballistic missile

zelenskyy confirms successful flight test domestically produced ballistic missile ukrainian president volodymyr dfnc2 kyiv 1 october 2024 facebook/володимир зеленський oct

Speaking at the opening of the second International Defense Industries Forum in Kyiv on 1 October, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the successful completion of an indigenous ballistic missile flights tests.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has received military aid from Western partners. However, the US and other allies restrict Ukraine from using Western-supplied long-range weapons inside Russia. Instead, Ukraine relies on domestically-produced long-range drones for strikes on strategic targets, such as airfields and ammunition depots. Ukraine is also working to boost its own weapons production, expanding domestic drone and missile programs.

Zelenskyy reported on his Facebook page:

“Our new ballistic missile has successfully passed flight tests.”

Defense Minister Rustem Umierov revealed further details about Ukraine’s missile development plans on 2 October 2024. Speaking at the same forum, Umerov said,

“We are focusing on missile and drone programs recently. Next year or by the end of this year, you will hear a lot about a large missile program. We have already started working on ballistic missiles,” he said, according to Ukrinform.

Umierov disclosed that the Ministry of Defense invested up to $4 billion in local defense production last year and is working on establishing long-term agreements with manufacturers.

“We have already achieved 2-5 year agreements and hope to conclude 10-year agreements. We are looking for ways to simplify the system and trying to streamline procedures,” he explained.

The minister also mentioned a recent meeting with the Budget Committee of the Verkhovna Rada, where he requested support for next year’s budget, indicating plans to increase investment in the defense sector. Umerov emphasized the importance of long-term investments and agreements to support production even after the war, with an eye towards future exports.

These developments follow previous announcements about Ukraine’s growing defense capabilities.

  • On 24 August, President Zelenskyy had stated that Ukrainian military forces had for the first time used a domestically produced missile-drone to strike Russian occupiers.
  • On 29 August, Mykhailo Podoliak, an advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office, revealed that the Ukrainian ballistic missile would have a range of approximately 600-700 kilometers.
  • In addition to missile development, Zelenskyy previously noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are using a new class of Ukrainian weapons – the long-range missile-drone Palianytsia.
  • The President also highlighted that in the first half of this year, Ukraine produced 25 times more ammunition for artillery and mortars compared to the entire year of 2022. He mentioned the ongoing successful use of Neptune missiles and the monthly production of up to 20 Bohdana artillery systems.

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