The Wall Street Journal reported , citing sources familiar with the situation.
The publication notes that Ukraine is currently actively developing its own ballistic missiles that could strike deep into Russian territory.
"Next year or by the end of the year you will hear that we will have a huge missile program," the WSJ quotes Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
But sources told the WSJ that Ukraine's missile program is lacking in capacity and funding, which will limit the program's effectiveness, and "Kyiv will likely remain dependent on the West for some types of weapons for many years to come.".
Security and unmanned systems expert Federico Borsari, in a comment for the WSJ, noted that today there are only a few countries in the world, including the United States and Russia, that possess all the technologies and capabilities to produce ballistic missiles.
Other countries trying to implement their missile programs face great difficulties in finding the necessary components.
Deputy Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine Hanna Gvozdiar told the publication that the country is currently working on developing several ballistic missiles.
Oleksandr Kamyshyn, advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on strategic issues, added that the country does not have enough money to quickly increase production in the necessary volumes, writes WSJ.
In such conditions, Ukraine can rely on the production of "hybrids" of missiles and drones.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently told reporters that Ukraine's long-range drone program makes more financial sense than producing ballistic missiles, given their costs.
The recent $2.4 billion US aid package included funding for long-range UAVs and did not include funds for the production of ballistic missiles, the publication reported, citing a source familiar with the matter.
Ukraine produces a weapon that is something between a missile and a drone.
One such hybrid is the Palanytsia, which was first used in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine in late August. The weapon looks like a small cruise missile, but has a less sophisticated guidance system and a smaller warhead, Borsari said. This likely makes it cheaper and easier to manufacture than cruise and ballistic missiles.
Another Ukrainian long-range hybrid, called "January," uses rocket engines to accelerate the flight during launch.
