Ukraine has been worn away in recent years by the drawn-out conflict “the War in Ukraine.” This country has relied on foreign military supplies for quite some time, including ballistic missiles. However, instead of waiting around for supplies, Ukraine has decided to start manufacturing its own short-range ballistic missiles.
This pivot shifts the country away from foreign dependency and flexes its strength to be able to defend itself by producing its own weapons.
Ballistic Missiles
Ballistic missiles are an important weapon in modern conflicts. They are rocket-powered and are sent to a designated target when they are launched high into the atmosphere, following an accurate trajectory.
Ballistic missiles lack the sophisticated mid-flight guidance systems that cruise missiles have, but this also means that they are harder to intercept. They are capable of moving nearly three times the speed of sound.
Enter The Sapsan Missile
Ukraine designed and built the Sapsan missile, which is built for speed and lethality. The nearly 500kg warhead it carries is more than twice the U.S. Military’s ATACMS and can travel beyond five times the speed of sound, making it a cutting-edge weapon of modern combat.
Ukraine has been tight-lipped about other specifications, such as its range, for security reasons, but it is speculated that the missile can be launched at targets 500 kilometers away.
First Deployment
Just a month ago, we saw the deployment of the Sapsan missile for the first time. Ukraine sent the weapon to an important Russian military target from 300 km away.
With the deployment measured as a success, this has huge implications for the future of the war, as Ukraine has showcased its ability to make deadly efficient military weapons instead of relying on Western aid.
Production
Ukraine’s new missile is no small feat, and producing the ballistic weapons domestically took a lot of innovation, especially when in the midst of war, where factories and production sites are vulnerable to preemptive strikes from the enemy.
The process was undoubtedly expensive and complex, but Ukraine has come out of it having a locally produced and superior warhead to many alternatives from Western suppliers.
Domestic Arms On The Rise
In 2022, Ukraine started ramping up its defense industry and has seen considerable advancements since then. At the end of last year, the production of ballistic missiles in Ukraine had increased dramatically.
Currently, Ukraine makes nearly half of all weapons deployed on the frontline locally. The country has no plans of slowing down, and with nearly $10 billion worth of weapons produced in 2024, Ukraine wants to only quadruple that number by the end of 2025.
Impacts On The War
This substantial shift toward domestic military weapons has enabled Ukraine to gain some advantages on the battlefield. The Sapsan ballistic missile will enable Ukraine to hit important Russian targets, such as command posts and airfields that are far beyond its border.
The upgrade in offense capability means that Russian operations can be disrupted, forcing the country to play defensively and diverting resources from the frontlines.
Russia’s Response
Russia is not taking the threat that these ballistic missiles pose lightly and has responded by upscaling its missile production, including its Oreshnik missile, reportedly capable of reaching Mach 10 and having a range of 5,000 km.
Both sides are advancing their ballistic missile systems, potentially preparing themselves for another escalation and reshaping the future of the War in Ukraine.
The Future Of The War
Ukraine’s ability to develop and deploy its own ballistic missile systems is an extraordinary feat. It helps to maintain defense and morale for a nation that’s been in the trenches for years.
Ukraine will continue to scale its military strength through weapons production and could become a potential supplier of weaponry to allied nations.
A Necessary Response
After tired of waiting for foreign aid, Ukraine stunned the world and jumped into action. This response was pivotal to the country’s role in the war and necessary to challenge constant threats from the opposition. Ukraine aims to fight its own battle using its weaponry.
