Kyiv balances domestic arms growth with reliance on Western air defence

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine produces most of the weapons it uses on the battlefield but remains dependent on US supplies of air defence systems.

Speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, Zelenskyy said Ukraine now meets most of its operational needs — including long-range strikes, frontline combat and air defence — through domestic production, European Pravda reports.

However, he stressed that funding constraints remain a major challenge, with Ukraine relying on Germany’s support to unlock a €90 billion EU loan.

“We expect Germany, as one of the leaders of the European Union, to help us quickly unblock €90bn. This will allow us to invest in our domestic production, and the volume of equipment used on the battlefield will increase,” he said.

Zelenskyy noted that the PURL program, under which NATO countries purchase US weapons for Ukraine, is primarily focused on supplying air defence systems against ballistic threats.

He expressed confidence that Ukraine would eventually be able to develop joint anti-ballistic systems with European partners.

“But for now, while we do not have this and there is a shortage, we must protect our families and our people. For this, we need the PURL program. We are grateful to Germany for its contributions,” the president said.

On April 14, following a conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Zelenskyy also announced upcoming developments regarding the PURL program in relation to Ukraine’s air defence.

On April 10, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had recently received a new batch of missiles for the Patriot air defence system.

He has also previously warned that a prolonged war in the Middle East could further undermine US support for Ukraine due to shifting global priorities in Washington.

By Vafa Guliyeva