Ukraine to produce 1 million UAVs, soon to receive more Patriot missiles, plans to discuss 'very sensitive issue'

On December 19, speaking at a press conference in Kiev, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the country will produce one million unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) next year.

Tổng thống Ukraine Zelensky phát biểu tại buổi họp báo ở Kiev, ngày 19/12. (Nguồn:

Ukrainian President Zelensky speaks at a press conference in Kiev, December 19.

Kiev has been working to ramp up domestic arms production since the conflict with Russia broke out in February 2022.

In 2023, Ukraine put into service 28 different types of combat UAVs, including nine models of kamikaze drones.

Notably, in June, Kiev launched an attack UAV with a range of 1,000 km and a payload of 75 kg.

On the same day, December 19, President Zelensky said that Ukraine will receive additional Patriot air defense systems to strengthen its forces this winter against increasing Russian air attacks. However, he did not disclose the quantity.

The promised weapons were a "very important result" from meetings with allies during recent foreign trips, the leader said.

In addition, the head of the Eastern European country also said that the country's army has requested to mobilize an additional 450,000 - 500,000 people to join the army, but the final decision has not yet been made.

Speaking at a press conference in Kiev, the information chief, top military and government officials will discuss “this very sensitive issue of mobilization” and then parliament will consider it.

According to him, mobilizing on such a large scale requires additional financial resources.

Source