Ukraine has approved a new military development plan that aims to field homegrown warheads capable of striking targets up to 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) away.
The weapon is part of Kyiv’s broader Concept for the Development of Missile Forces and Artillery, a framework targeting mass production of indigenous ballistic and cruise missiles through the end of the decade.
Resulting technologies will be integrated with autonomous platforms to form a lethal capability able to hit targets deep inside enemy territory.
“In combination with unmanned systems, this will allow creating a balanced long-range fire system and ensure the destruction of targets,” Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said.
Core of Artillery Units
Kyiv specified that its latest concept will promote locally-built projectiles as the backbone of the country’s artillery units, as the Ukrainian military gradually decommissions Soviet-era weapons that are deteriorated and beyond repair.
The plan also seeks to reduce dependence on foreign materiel, which Syrskyi identified as a major operational challenge alongside complex logistics, limited weapon ranges, and shortages of scouting solutions.
Additionally, the strategy prioritizes a reconnaissance network to improve targeting and speed up the flow of battlefield intelligence.
“Modern warfare has proven that the effectiveness of artillery directly depends on the quality of intelligence and the speed of information transmission,” Syrskyi noted.
Still Relevant
During the announcement, Syrskyi emphasized that artillery remains a critical asset in modern warfare amid the growing adoption of drones and precision-guided weapons.
“Artillery was, is and will remain one of the key factors of success on the battlefield,” he said.
“Its role and importance are difficult to overestimate. In any weather conditions and regardless of the nature of the terrain, it will continue to effectively destroy the enemy and remain one of the main factors in deterring armed aggression against Ukraine.”
