Ukraine Boosts Missile Program with Additional Funding

Ukraine has announced plans to allocate additional funding for its missile program.

President Volodymyr Zelensky made the announcement on August 6, following a meeting with Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Minister for Strategic Industries Alexander Kamyshin at the commander-in-chief headquarters.

“There will be more missiles of our production,” Zelensky said. “We are getting closer to being able to use our own missiles, and not just rely on missiles from our partners.”

While details of the program remain scarce, the move is seen as a strategic step towards reducing reliance on Western allies for missile supplies.

Ukraine's missile program has gained momentum since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. In late July, Zelensky noted the program's "good dynamics," expressing optimism about the country's ability to use its own missiles in the near future.

The development comes as Ukraine continues to urge its Western allies for longer-range weapons, despite encountering hesitation regarding the provision of arms that could be used to strike within Russian territory. The U.S. has granted limited permission for Ukraine to use certain American weapons to strike Russian targets near the border region.

Currently, Ukraine's arsenal includes British Storm Shadow missiles and French SCALP missiles with a range of up to 250 kilometers (150 miles), as well as Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) sent by Washington, which can fly approximately 300 kilometers (190 miles). Notably, Ukraine has struck targets deep inside Russia using homemade drones, with reports indicating that its arsenal includes arms with a range of over 1,000 kilometers.