Ukraine as the world’s largest military lab: Israel in second place — The Times

For Ukraine, the top priority now is raising money to invest in domestic weapons production.

Since the United States suspended military aid to Ukraine, domestic weapons production has become a focal point. Many now see it not only as a flexible complement to Western weapons but also as the engine of Kyiv’s war machine, notes The Times.

Since the war began, Ukraine has not only successfully resisted Russian aggression but has also become the largest military laboratory on the planet. This status has been achieved through rapid development of domestic weapons production, which has significantly reduced reliance on external supplies. Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal reported that the country already produces one-third of the required weapons, with a goal to reach 50% in the near future.

“We already produce one-third of the weapons we need, our goal is 50 percent,” he wrote on Telegram.

Ukraine as the Largest Military Laboratory

In the midst of the ongoing war, Ukraine is increasingly turning to its internal resources to provide the army with the necessary weapons.

Quote from former Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov:

“We have our own Silicon Valley. In garages across the country, there are brilliant researchers and engineers making things that no one has done before… The largest military laboratory on the planet is Ukraine, the second is Israel, but we are the largest. Therefore, the best investment in European defense is investment in Ukrainian defense,” he noted.”

These words of Reznikov highlight the importance of Ukraine’s domestic production and innovations occurring within the country. Ukraine is leveraging its technological potential not only to produce the necessary weapons but also to develop unique military technologies that were not used before.

Development of Ukraine’s Military Industry

Ukraine is not only strengthening its defense but also creating a new market for weapons and military equipment. As former Minister of Defense Andriy Zahorodnyuk noted, at the beginning of the war, weapons production “started growing from garages, homes, and small factories,” and today the country has the capacity to create powerful and effective weapons.

“In 2024, the military industry surpassed the government’s procurement capabilities. Now, capabilities are two to three times greater than purchasing power. This is what stopped the Russians amid the ongoing shortage of Western firepower. Several companies have already reached the global level,” he said.

One of the most important areas is the development of unmanned aerial vehicles, which are actively used on the front lines and are changing the nature of combat. The importance of these technologies cannot be overstated, as they provide a significant advantage in reconnaissance and offensive operations.

Reznikov also believes that thanks to innovations, the cessation of U.S. military support is unlikely to lead to a significant shift on the front lines.

“Today’s war, three years in, is a completely different war… Infantry rarely meets one another on the battlefield. A significant breakthrough of our lines by the Russians is now extremely unlikely. If they send a column of tanks, as they did in February 2022, it will be destroyed by drones,” he noted.

Ukraine as a Hub for Military Industry

Reznikov also emphasized the importance of Ukraine as a global center for military innovations: “The largest military laboratory on the planet is Ukraine, the second is Israel.” These words show that Ukraine, despite its relatively small territory, has become a powerful center for military developments that significantly influence Europe’s defense industry.

In recent years, Ukraine has been developing new types of weapons, including long-range missiles and air defense systems, which could rival Western counterparts. These developments provide a significant advantage on the battlefield and could change the course of the war.

However, the continued loss of U.S. support will still be a serious blow, said Zahorodnyuk.

“[Drones], while they effectively represent a military-technical revolution, still cannot replace large missiles, air defense, reconnaissance, and manned aviation in many aspects,” he noted.

At the same time, the most ardent supporters of Ukraine’s defense industry believe that within a year, a domestic alternative to U.S. long-range weapons will emerge, according to the article.

Technological Innovations and Production Development

Today, Ukraine is actively developing its capabilities in the creation of high-tech weaponry. Drones, as a key component of Ukraine’s military industry, continue to improve and are already playing an important role in defense operations. Every year, the number of innovative startups in Ukraine grows, providing the country with unique opportunities to create new weapons.

Key Figures

Ukraine continues to develop in the field of military industry, which becomes an important element of its defense. Despite external threats, Ukraine not only stabilizes its security but also becomes a key player in the global arms market.

Comparison of Ukraine and Israel

Israel and Ukraine have similar conditions for the development of defense technologies: both countries face threats and are actively working on creating their own weapons. Ukraine, like Israel, uses innovations and startups to create new military technologies. However, according to Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraine still holds the leading position in the global context.

The need for Ukraine and Israel to cooperate in the military sphere is clear, especially in the face of rising threats. Both states can exchange experiences, develop joint projects, and strengthen their defense capabilities. Cooperation in areas such as high-tech, drone production, and defense systems could play a key role in the future. Interaction between these two countries in defense could significantly increase the efficiency of their armed forces and enhance security in Europe and the Middle East.

On the site NAnovosti — News from Israel, we monitor developments, focusing on how Ukraine continues to strengthen its defense, and also comparing it with Israel, which is also actively developing its defense industry.