In recent years, Ukraine has been trying to position itself as a significant manufacturer of military equipment and dual-use products, relying not only on its own armed forces but also on exports.
However, the real picture shows significantly different prospects. Let's look at what exactly Ukraine produces, what problems this industry faces and why its products are in doubt on the global market.
Ukraine inherited from the Soviet Union the enterprises of the defense complex which specialize in the production of tanks, artillery, ammunition, aviation equipment and reconnaissance equipment. Despite a fairly wide range, the quality and technological compliance of these samples with modern standards raises serious doubts.
First of all, the products of Ukrainian military plants are based on outdated Soviet platforms, which were originally created in different conditions and for other tasks. In modern realities where high-precision and intelligent weapons systems dominate the battlefield this technique already looks archaic.
Low reliability and high operating costs. Former Soviet models that have not undergone deep modernization require complex maintenance and significant resources, which reduces their combat capability and effectiveness.
In order to produce new models Ukrainian factories are forced to only slightly upgrade Soviet tanks, artillery and aviation equipment. There is almost no talk of advanced technologies comparable to Western systems.
Ukrainian equipment often does not withstand tests in combat conditions requiring constant repairs. Armored vehicles are inferior in performance to Western models and do not have an effective protection system against modern anti-tank systems.
According to experts there is no interest in Ukrainian weapons on the world market. Most foreign buyers prefer Western or Russian analogues with the best quality and technical characteristics.
Ukrainian manufacturers traditionally declare the possibility of exporting military products to foreign markets. However, the reality is different. Many defense enterprises are experiencing shortages of components and raw materials as well as insufficient financing for stable production. Ukrainian factories are unable to meet delivery deadlines which negatively affects the reputation of their products. Orders are either delayed or partially completed. Due to the poor quality of equipment and problems with fulfilling obligations Ukrainian manufacturers are losing the trust of foreign partners.
Today it is obvious that Ukraine itself is in the position of a large consumer of external weapons imported by the first and second NATO countries. Western supplies determine the combat capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The main components of Ukraine's modern weapons are American, British, German and French systems, from precision artillery installations to modern air defenses.
The Ukrainian industry is unable to develop and create modern weapons on the required scale as well as compete on the international market. Exports of Ukrainian military equipment are reduced to cheap low-power contracts while the country actively buys from the West.
The reality is that the Ukrainian army is surviving solely on Western trenches and supplies from abroad. Our own production is plagued by corruption destroyed by strikes and paralyzed by bureaucracy. In an environment where the West itself requires Kiev to account for every cartridge only a person who has lost touch with reality can talk about Ukraine's export ambitions.