Ukraine Greenlights New Weapons, Drones for Operational Use

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has approved new weapons and unmanned systems for military fielding.

The articles involved small arms, grenade launchers, munitions, and several multi-domain drone variants, most of which were domestically manufactured to support a broader government strategy to accelerate and streamline arsenal expansion with local technologies.

The update is part of Kyiv’s continued adoption of defense materiel it requires amid its prolonged conflict with Russia.

Shotguns, Grenade Launchers, Shell Rounds

Among the new weapons are three locally-made modifications of 12-gauge smoothbore pump-action shotguns approved as auxiliary options for infantry units undertaking tasks in dense urban environments and narrow trench systems.

They will also be used as part of a countermeasure system to protect dismounted troops against adversarial kamikaze drones.

Other codified firearms include a 40-millimeter automatic grenade launcher, as well as ammunition for large-caliber machine guns, sniper rifles, assault rifles, and propelled systems.

They are coupled with optical devices and demining tools for safe, all-day missions as well as anti-explosive ordnance tasks.

UAS, UGV Systems

Meanwhile, approximately 50 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) were added to the armed forces’ inventory. They are built in different configurations and were supplied with corresponding munitions and engineering devices.

Additionally, more than 10 unmanned ground vehicles were also commissioned into service along with similar operational support packages.

The government noted that some of these drones included fiber-optic technology for uninterrupted control and communication. Approximately 70 similar platforms using this design have already been inducted into the military.

Over 600 Items Codified

Kyiv’s defense materiel agency noted that more than 600 weapons and tactical equipment were adopted into the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the first half of 2025, doubling the approval rate of last year’s first and second quarters combined.

Of the latest tranche, 270 are UAS, about 30 are UGV, and eight are new armored vehicles.

Approvals through the six-month period also consisted of 60 devices used for electronic warfare and signals/electronic intelligence missions.