Ukraine’s defense industry has incredible potential – arms manufacturer CEO

Ukraine’s defense industry has incredible potential but its enterprises were half-loaded at the time when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, while for certain types of equipment produced, the numbers were even lower.

Director-General of the Ukrainian Armor Design and Manufacturing Company Vladyslav Belbas said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

"In order to use this potential to the full, the government should finally set priorities: relocation of enterprises from risk zones to safe areas, modernization and establishment of the fastest-possible serial production of all products that can be manufactured in the country," he believes.

According to Belbas, it is now necessary to change the conditions and rules as tender procedures should not be applied in wartime. There should not be a problem of choosing from a long list, which Ukrainian drone to buy. He is convinced that they should all be ordered and produced.

"And this would be the right government policy, unlike what it is today: ‘we will wait and see what we get under the Lend-Lease, while you should try to survive somehow for the time being.’ While the government is waiting out, part of the manufacturers won’t make it," said the Ukrainian Armor CEO.

As reported by Ukrinform, since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have received up to 50 Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles, while the Ministry of Defense plans to purchase dozens more.