In 2024, the gap between the capabilities of Ukrainian arms manufacturing companies and the funding available for their use will be $10 billion. Ukraine's Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin said this at the Defence Industry Forum in Brussels, Radio Liberty reports.
The official called on partners to invest in Ukrainian arms production.
"Our main task is to find additional funding for the defence forces in Ukraine. My task is to get this funding for production in Ukraine, as we are already capable. We have additional non-contracted capabilities, and we want them to be financed by European funds," Kamyshin said.
The Ministry of Strategic Industries added that the Ukrainian defence industry is capable of producing products worth $20 billion a year. Of this amount, $6 billion is contracted, $4 billion the ministry wants to cover within Ukraine, so $10 billion is the funding that partners can provide.
Kamyshin recalled that Denmark and Canada have already invested in Ukrainian arms production. The government is now looking for additional funding to be allocated to different types of weapons.
"From armoured vehicles to unmanned aerial and ground systems, all these things can be produced in Ukraine in larger volumes today. And this is the fastest and most correct way to help our Defence Forces... Some of these goods can be produced very quickly," he said.