Enterprises of Ukroboronprom are working around the clock to scale up the production of weaponry that is currently needed by our military on the front lines. This was reported by the General Director of the Joint Stock Company Ukrainian Defense Industry Herman Smetanin during the Ukraine-EU Defense Industries Forum, which took place in Brussels, Belgium on May 6th.
More than 400 representatives of European institutions, governments, European and Ukrainian defense industries gathered in the capital of Belgium to discuss strengthening Ukrainian-European partnership in the defense sphere and assistance in priority areas such as air defense, ammunition, missiles, and drones. In particular, the event was attended by teams from the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine led by Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin and JSC Ukroboronprom and its enterprises.
During the panel "Supply of weapons under conditions of continuous production growth: how to accelerate the production of ammunition in the EU and Ukraine," Herman Smetanin elaborated on the nuances of Ukroboronprom's work in the conditions of full-scale war with Russia, current challenges, and prospects.
"The enterprises of the Joint Stock Company 'Ukrainian Defense Industry' are doing everything possible and impossible to increase the production of weapons and military equipment both in domestic capacities and those located beyond the borders of our state. Thanks to the work of the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, we have managed to attract a significant amount of Ukrainian funds for scaling up the production of products, including ammunition. However, our capabilities are approximately three times higher than the existing level of funding, so we need as many 'long-term' contracts as possible," noted the head of Ukroboronprom.
Herman Smetanin also mentioned that the enterprises of the Company not only have established and are scaling up serial production of artillery shells and mortar mines of Soviet calibers but are also gradually transitioning to the production of NATO caliber ammunition - 60mm mortar mines.
"We know the approximate volume of ammunition production at Russian enterprises and their partners' enterprises. We understand that even with a significant increase in production, our own capabilities are insufficient to wage war on equal terms. Therefore, the task of Ukroboronprom's enterprises and Ukraine's allies is to ensure our Armed Forces with a sufficient quantity of ammunition to liberate temporarily occupied territories," said the head of the Company.
Regarding the development of cooperation with leading European arms companies, Herman Smetanin commented:
"Ukroboronprom is open to dialogue with European partners and is ready for various forms of cooperation, including the creation of new joint ventures. At the same time, it is necessary to provide insurance for investments and new capacities that will be created. This can be realized through the funds of European funds or the arrested sovereign assets of Russia in Europe."
