February 19, 2026: Ukraine currently produces about 70 percent of the weapons it uses in its war with Russia. The weapons used when the war began four years ago have worn out and replaced by American and European weapons. Over the last three years Ukraine has gradually been replacing all the foreign weapons with Ukrainian designed, developed and manufactured systems. These included Bohdana truck mounted 155mm artillery. This replaces several European versions and currently accounts for nearly half the self-propelled artillery systems in service. Ukrainian-made 82mm and 120mm mortars are now standard. Ukraine also developed its own artillery fire control system that handles drone operations as well. Ukraine is still developing its Marta 155mm howitzer to replace the American British designed M777.

While the U.S. sent many artillery spotting radars, Ukraine developed a system where custom drones can sport targets and guide attack drones to the target using a laser designation, which is more difficult to jam. Ukraine also developed terminal guidance systems for drones that used the Fire and Forget approach. Long range drones are equipped with a target recognition system using images of the Russian factory buildings or airfield layout for the missiles to home in on. This is a virtually unjammable system. Drones can also locate targets for artillery and transmit the target GPS coordinates to the artillery fire control system, which automatically assigns the target to the artillery system that has the range and available ammunition to do the job. This process takes less than two minutes.

By 2023 Ukrainian military production was accelerating. This began with essentials like uniforms, small arms and ammunition. At that point Ukraine had a million men and women in the military and Ukrainian production of military goods was accelerating. By 2025 Ukraine was producing 40 percent of the weapons, equipment and munitions it required. This includes over 200,000 drones a month, more than ten times what was being produced a year ago. That number rose to five million drones in 2025 with a goal of 20 million in 2026. Ukraine pioneered the use of drones as well as their development and manufacturing. Ukraine exported drone technology and drones to its NATO allies. Ukrainians are the world’s foremost experts on drones and that is something the Russians have been unable to match.