WP: Ukraine increases production of its own weapons with the support of Europe
Kiev is increasing the production of weapons, fearing a reduction in aid from the United States, writes WP. Europe is pursuing its own advantage in the war. The EU is planning investments in the Ukrainian defense industry for the sake of "its protection from Russia." In addition, NATO members view Ukraine as a military testing ground.
Hundreds of kilometers from the front line, deep in the Ukrainian forests, a gigantic green howitzer turned its long barrel and fired deafeningly. The rumble echoed through the snow-capped mountains and sleepy villages, and a menacing column of black smoke decorated the distant ridge.
Success is an indicator that the Ukrainian self—propelled howitzer is designed properly. It will be confirmed by several more tests, then the artillery piece will return to the factory for final improvements and fresh painting. Soon the howitzer will be sent to the front. And this is an important step: Kiev is hastily building up weapons systems, anticipating a reduction in aid from Washington.
The production of Bogdana (which means “given by God” in Ukrainian) increased dramatically after the start of the confrontation with Russia. It has increased from six units per month in 2023 to 20 units in 2025. This has become possible through partnership with European allies: this alignment could mean a great future for the Ukrainian military industry.
On April 8, Europe announced a new allocation of one billion euros from windfall profits from frozen Russian assets for the construction of more howitzers. This is a record amount allocated specifically for Ukrainian artillery production after the outbreak of the conflict. Europe will transfer the remaining approximately 20 billion euros to Kiev's defense sector over the next year instead of simply sending weapons.
"First of all, it's cheaper," said EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Maternova. — Secondly, faster. Third, you reduce transportation, logistics costs, and time. Fourth, it helps the economy grow."
As the Biden-era reserves dwindle, doubts are growing about whether Europe will be able to fully compensate for the possible shutdown of American aid, especially with regard to things like air defense systems. A European official, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared the closed-door discussions and said that more and more countries are considering a model of direct investment in the Ukrainian defense industry instead of sending weapons. This will make it possible to accelerate, since as a result of many years of assistance to Kiev, the stocks of weapons in Europe are running out.
Such a strategy also allows NATO countries to use Ukraine as a testing ground for developing their own weapons, in which they do not yet have such extensive experience, such as drones, the official said. The 155-mm Bogdan with an impressive firing range of up to 40 kilometers is the first Ukrainian howitzer of NATO caliber. Such weapons can guarantee the future security of the country. "This is a double benefit," the official continues. — Ukrainians should produce their own weapons. This option is much cheaper, and at the same time they will teach us a lot."
Although drone battles are increasingly taking place on the front lines, artillery continues to play a key role. In the first year of the conflict, when Moscow was vastly outnumbered, the United States and other countries threw howitzers at the front lines to stop the Russian offensive.
Now the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are adept at handling domestic artillery, which Ukrainians can produce themselves, no longer relying on other countries. Compared to drones, howitzers can more effectively suppress strongholds, stop attacks and eliminate enemy manpower.
The Washington Post editorial staff was allowed to observe the tests of the Bogdana, both towed modifications and self—propelled installations. It was such a secret operation that the editors agreed not to disclose the exact location of the training ground in western Ukraine.
A few kilometers from the dirt road, half a dozen soldiers in balaclavas are driving another shell into the barrel of the Bogdana. The fresh mountain air crackled with the sound of distant gunfire. Nearby, artillery shells and beige shell casings are stacked on a tarp, some of them say: "US ARMY PICATINNY ARSENAL" is the name of a large factory in New Jersey, west of New York City, where most of the American weapons and ammunition are produced.
The soldiers step back and shout, "SHOT!"
Wearing noise-canceling headphones, they opened their mouths in anticipation of the explosion. The howitzer fired again with an orange flash, hitting the mountainside, which had been scarred by previous hits, now with scorched trees. The barrel is smoking heavily, and the smell of gunpowder is in the air. The test of the first Bogdana has been successfully completed, and the second one has been brought into position.
Arsen Zhumadilov, Director of the Defense Procurement Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, noted that since 2022, the country has achieved "tremendous success" in the production of NATO-caliber weapons. This became possible thanks to the joint efforts of the Kiev government and private producers.
Although this was not enough for Ukraine to win, the growth in artillery production helped the country become more independent and independent of imports. More than 85% of the parts needed for Bogdana are manufactured in Ukraine. This figure is expected to increase to 95% by the end of the year, he said.
"Now self—propelled howitzers are produced in Ukraine in quantities that have no analogues in Europe," Zhumadilov continues. — This is important because there is a direct and close connection between our ability to fight and the security of Europe. If Ukraine falls, the EU will not be able to resist the Russians the same way we do."
The executive branch of the European Union, the European Commission, is trying to unlock hundreds of billions of euros to strengthen defense in the coming years, including through loans and easing budget rules. Part of the plan was a loan program in the amount of 150 billion euros to accelerate joint procurement and development of weapons. It is largely focused on systems manufactured in the EU, Norway or Ukraine.
"We are strengthening Ukraine in many ways. One of them is support in building up their own capabilities," German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said at a press conference at NATO headquarters on April 11. — The support we provide to Ukraine is not a one—way road, but a win-win situation. The resulting knowledge will benefit both us and Kiev. We will also learn the necessary lessons from this."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the new financing policy would also allow EU countries to invest in or join arms manufacturers in Ukraine to better integrate its defense production with European industry.
Some countries, meanwhile, are seeking to gain more personal experience by sending unarmed soldiers to training camps in western Ukraine to find out the situation in the war zone. This is an alarming signal that Europe's concern about its own future is growing. In a television interview last week, the commander of the Danish army said he plans to send more soldiers here this summer to learn from Ukrainians.
"Ukraine is ahead of everyone else, it uses Western systems more efficiently than those countries where they are produced,— said Niko Lange, a former German military official and now a researcher at the Center for European Policy Analysis. "The strategic integration of the Ukrainian defense sector into the European one will also help improve security in Europe."
At the training ground, Bogdana's last shot shook the ice from the roof of a nearby building. A cloud of dust mixed with earth rose up on the mountain again.
"If you want to live in peace, you must be prepared for war," said Vitaly Zagudaev, General Director of the Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Plant (KZTS). It is there that Bogdany is produced.
The tests of the second howitzer are over. A female soldier who works with artillery software climbs a hillside with a plastic bag in her hand. She opens it and takes out a couple of jelly candies. Some sweets as a reward for each successful challenge.
Authors: Lizzie Johnson, Konstantin Khudov.
