Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday that the country's defense industry is set to manufacture 10 Bohdana howitzers this month.
“This month, our industry will produce 10 Bohdana self-propelled howitzers for the first time, and more will follow in May and later,” Zelenskyy was quoted as saying by local media.
The Bohdana is an artillery system developed and made domestically, featuring a self-propelled design mounted on a six-wheeled truck chassis. This highly maneuverable unit is capable of firing 155 mm shells, adhering to NATO standards, at a rate of up to five rounds per minute.
The increase in Bohdana production is part of Kyiv's broader strategy to enhance its domestic weapons manufacturing capabilities, particularly amid growing uncertainties regarding military assistance from the United States.
“The share of our own production is constantly increasing,” the Ukrainian president said.
Zelenskyy emphasized the growing proportion of domestically produced weaponry, highlighting the significance of long-term contracts signed with Ukrainian enterprises, adding these contracts offer stability, job opportunities, and attract investment to the country.
In December of the previous year, Zelenskyy explained a significant increase in Ukraine's domestic production of equipment and weapons, tripling compared to the previous year's output.
Western aid
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba indicated that during his discussion with U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken, the potential deployment of additional "Patriot" air defense systems to Ukraine was explored.
In his post on his social media account regarding the meeting with Blinken on the sidelines of G-7 Foreign Ministers meeting on Capri Island, Kuleba said: “I would like to thank the United States for its support for Ukraine.”
“We also emphasized that it is vital that the U.S. Congress urgently approve an additional aid package for Ukraine. This will improve the situation on the battlefield by providing Ukraine with strength and confidence,” Kuleba said.
The U.S. Congress encountered a lengthy deadlock while seeking to approve military assistance to Ukraine, primarily due to mounting resistance from Republicans. Much awaited vote on the US aid for Ukraine will take place on Saturday.
