State of the World from NPR Ukraine’s Flourishing Arms Industry
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Sep 30, 2025 With the U.S. halting direct weapon supplies, Ukraine is rapidly advancing its own arms production. The country showcased its innovative drones, capable of carrying significant payloads and returning after missions. An underground conference unveiled Ukraine's shift from Soviet-era stockpiles to developing new tech for defense. Experts discuss the need for sophisticated weaponry to counter Russia and how foreign investment could enhance Ukraine's burgeoning arms industry as a reliable partner for NATO.
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Policy Shift Spurs Domestic Arms Growth
- U.S. policy uncertainty pushed Ukrainians to accelerate domestic weapons production.
- The arms industry showcased itself at a secure Lviv underground conference to avoid airstrikes.
Reusable Heavy Drone Demo
- Maksim Yakovlev from Armsmaker Freedom Group showed a reusable six-propeller drone carrying 30 pounds of weapons.
- He described heavy drones that fly, drop explosives or grenades, and return to base.
Silicon Valley Skills Reap Drone Tech
- Yaroslav Oznuk left Silicon Valley and repurposed his PetCube experience to build drone cameras in Ukraine.
- He uses startup skills from California to help create Ukrainian drone technology.