Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on November 19 that the country plans to manufacture 30,000 long-range drones and 3,000 missiles as part of a strategy to strengthen its defense capabilities. This was reported by the Kyiv Independent.
Speaking to parliament, Zelensky emphasized that the drones would help address Ukraine's artillery shortages.
To support this effort, a new technology center will be established.
The president also outlined plans to develop countermeasures against Russian Shahed-type drones and produce advanced drone-missile hybrids.
This announcement builds on earlier developments, including a U.S. aid package of $700-800 million revealed in October to boost Ukraine’s domestic production of long-range weaponry.
Ukraine has also tested its first domestically produced ballistic missile and successfully deployed its Palianytsia missile-drone hybrid against Russia, confirmed during Zelensky’s Independence Day address on August 24.
Ukraine’s focus on self-reliant long-range capabilities comes as Western partners have imposed limits on their arms use, with the U.S. only recently permitting the deployment of ATACMS missiles on Russian territory.
