Page 26 - UKRRptApr24

the most significant deficit is in the supply of artillery systems, artillery shells, and missiles.
Norway pledges over $150 million to Czech ammunition initiative for Ukraine. "Ukraine urgently needs large quantities of artillery ammunition to withstand the Russian war of aggression," Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said.
Luxembourg joins Czech-led ammunition initiative for Ukraine. Luxembourg's Defense Minister Yuriko Backes also said that the defense ministry had recently delivered 6,000 155mm shells to Ukraine.
Dutch PM: Ukraine to get large amount of shells 'in the near future.' A large amount of ammunition will be sent to Ukraine "in the near future" within the Czech-led initiative to provide Kyiv with hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on March 22.
Poland to double its contribution to Czech initiative on purchase of ammunition for Ukraine – FM Poland will double its contribution to the Czech initiative to purchase artillery ammunition for Ukraine from third countries, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said.
- Drones & planes & missiles
Ukrainian government allocating $128 million for procurement of attack drones. The Ukrainian government is allocating an additional Hr 5 billion (around $128 million) to purchase attack drones for the military, Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced on March 18.
Ukraine can produce two million drones a year and will begin producing 155 mm artillery shells in the second half of 2024, said the head of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov. However, this is possible only with additional financial support from Ukraine’s allies. Ukrainian defense companies are trying to establish the production of NATO-standard 155-mm artillery shells in 2024.
Kyiv plans to build a cutting-edge defense enterprise to produce drones.
A facility will be built in the Ukrainian capital - a utility company that will be subordinate to the Kyiv City Administration and be engaged in drone production. The company's authorized capital is ₴400M ($10M). It is noted that creating a new commercial enterprise to produce drones not only meets the country’s urgent need to strengthen its defensive capabilities in the face of external aggression but will also be a significant step toward developing Kyiv’s high-tech economic sector. This initiative can potentially attract investment to the city, create new jobs for qualified workers, and raise Kyiv's international reputation as a center of innovation and technological development. Ukraine currently has about 200 companies engaged in developing and producing UAVs, of which about 50 have permits to supply their products to the military.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham promised Ukraine ATACMS and aid from the US in a new format. During a visit to Kyiv on March 18, Graham expressed hope that America would send Ukraine the weapons it needs, and in the future, Ukraine will be able not only to hold the territory but also to put further pressure on the Russians. "You will get ATACMS and destroy the bridge that connects Crimea with Russia. I want 2024 to be a year of qualitative advantage for the Ukrainian military," he emphasized. Graham also expects that F-16 aircraft will be put into service in Ukraine as early as 2024, and that this year the countries will conclude a security agreement. In addition, the senator supports helping Ukraine through an interest-free loan and hopes
26 UKRAINE Country Report April 2024 www.intellinews.com