Ukrainian president announces 'Zbroya' initiative to increase defense production, export surplus

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a new initiative aimed at boosting the country's defense production and export surplus, saying that Kyiv intends to manufacture half of all weapons used on the front lines domestically by the end of the year.

Speaking at the International Defense Industries Forum in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said Ukraine's defense capacity has increased tenfold since the start of the full-scale Russian war, with projected drone and missile production reaching $35 billion next year.

He announced a new export initiative called "Zbroya," which will allow Ukraine to sell surplus weapons abroad to fund future production of defense systems.

“We need funding to unleash our full potential, and we are working with every partner who can help make this possible,” he said.

According to Zelenskyy, agreements are in place for developing export-import platforms in Europe, the US, and the Middle East, with plans to have them operational by the end of the year.

He added that the government and the National Security and Defense Council are working to finalize the program’s structure.