...

Defence Ministry Approves 130-plus New Weapon Systems in May

by Roman Cheplyk
Monday, June 2, 2025
1 MIN
Defence Ministry Approves 130-plus New Weapon Systems in May

80 % locally designed; surge led by fibre-optic UAVs, EW kits and mobile fire-support assets

Portfolio Overview

Category Models Approved Notable Notes
Unmanned Aerial Systems Majority share Nearly 60 fibre-optic-guided platforms added since Jan 2025
Ammunition & Grenades Multi-calibre drone-borne munitions, launcher rounds Tailored for precision and loitering applications
Electronic Warfare / ISR Latest jamming, counter-drone, and reconnaissance suites Designed for frontline saturation scenarios
Small Arms & Mobility Compact firearms, light vehicles, engineering kits Rapid-deployment focus

Deputy Minister’s Commentary

Valerii Churkin:
“Drones have moved from auxiliary status to a primary strike component. This month’s approvals reflect that shift.”


Industrial Balance

  • Domestic share: ~ 80 % of the new inventory.

  • Key local trends:

    • Fibre-optic command links for secure, interference-free control.

    • Modular payloads to adapt drones for ISR, EW, or kinetic roles.

    • Lightweight grenade-launch platforms and rapid-repair vehicle kits to support manoeuvre units.


Strategic Implications

  1. Enhanced autonomy – Reduced exposure of operators to electronic counter-measures.

  2. Supply-chain resilience – Greater reliance on Ukrainian R&D and production lines.

  3. Operational tempo – Faster fielding cycles as codification procedures accelerate.


All systems cleared in May are now authorised for immediate procurement and deployment across the Defence Forces.

You will be interested