Western promises of a long-range missile “deterrence force” for Ukraine will not materialize until 2029, leaving the country reliant on its own manufacturing capabilities in the interim. This delay highlights a significant gap in immediate support from European allies. Currently, the only viable path to rapidly increasing Ukraine’s long-range strike capacity is through scaling up domestic production. Ukrainian factories are actively focused on establishing production lines for these critical weapons systems. This development underscores Ukraine’s increasing self-reliance in the face of ongoing Russian aggression and slow international aid delivery. The situation emphasizes the urgency of bolstering Ukraine’s domestic defense industry to bridge the gap until promised Western assistance arrives. This self-sufficiency is now central to Ukraine’s defense strategy.