Ukraine Goes to Washington With a New Ask: Help Us Make Our Own Weapons
KYIV, Ukraine—This summer, two seaborne drones called Sea Babies left Ukrainian territory and sped across the Black Sea before striking a Russian-built bridge and exploding. The attack was heralded not just for the damage done but because the so-called sea drones were designed and built in Ukraine. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor in 2022, the U.S.
and its allies have sent Ukraine nearly $100 billion worth of ammunition, missiles and tanks through the end of July, according to the Kiel Institute, a research group. Now, Ukraine wants to wean itself off Western weapons and start producing more of its own supplies. Rebuilding Ukraine’s arms industry could help secure the country’s long-term security and boost its economy, government officials say.
The effort gained added urgency Wednesday when Republicans in the Senate blocked a Ukraine aid bill that earmarked funds for military support. The White House has warned that the U.S. will be unable to continue providing more weapons and equipment to Ukraine if Congress doesn’t approve additional funding by the end of the year.
Moreover, Western stockpiles of weapons are running down and the war shows no sign of ending. This week, the U.S. government is hosting Ukrainian ministers and weapons makers for a two-day conference aimed at encouraging joint production with American companies.
U.S. arms makers expected to attend include Lockheed Martin. Ukraine was a major arms manufacturer during Soviet times but has suffered since then from a lack of investment.
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