**Ukraine Seeks $6 Billion to Close the Weapons Production Gap, Prioritizing Drone Interceptors**
The Defense Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, has warned allies that his country needs a whopping $6 billion in 2025 to bridge its shortfall in weapons production. This alarming figure was revealed during a virtual meeting with defense officials from 52 countries under German and British leadership.
Ukraine is making a concerted effort to boost its homegrown drone capabilities, which have proven crucial in countering Russia’s frequent drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. In fact, Ukraine has plans to develop interceptor drones designed specifically to counter Russia’s Shahed-type drone attacks. According to Shmyhal, these funds would enable the production of more FPV (first-person view) drones, as well as interceptor drones and long-range weapons.
**Coordinating Support through Regular Meetings**
The meeting, known as the Ramstein format, is a regular gathering of top defense officials that coordinates weapons deliveries and other military support for Ukraine’s war effort. This year’s 29th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting brought together representatives from countries around the world to discuss strategies for supporting Ukraine.
**Urgency in Funding Needed**
Shmyhal also urged partners to earmark funding for Ukraine in their 2026 budgets, highlighting the urgency of this issue. This echoes a statement made by President Volodymyr Zelensky during the NATO summit earlier this month, where he emphasized that Ukraine has the capacity to produce over 8 million drones annually but lacks financial backing.
**Domestic Military Capabilities on the Rise**
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has rapidly developed its domestic military capabilities. The country has made significant strides in groundbreaking drone technology, with Zelensky stating that domestically-produced weapons account for more than 40% of the arms used in Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
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