Ukraine contracts 1.8 million drones for army for next two years

Ukraine's defense ministry contracted 1.8 million drones worth 147 billion hryvnias ($3.6 bn) for 2024-2025, marking a significant expansion of its unmanned aerial capabilities.

Oct 30, 2024 - 01:00

Ukraine contracts 1.8 million drones for army for next two years

FPV drones Ukraine

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) reports securing contracts for 1.8 million drones worth nearly UAH 147 billion ($3.6 bn) for 2024-2025 in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation.

Drones play an essential role in modern warfare, providing key advantages such as real-time reconnaissance, precision targeting, and the ability to strike deep behind enemy lines.

Ukraine produces most of its drones domestically and has scaled up its production since the Russian full-scale invasion began. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has announced a goal of manufacturing at least one million drones annually.

According to the defense ministry, during the first 10 months of 2024, the two ministries contracted 1.6 million various types of drones worth over UAH 114 billion ($2.8 bn).

Suppliers have already delivered 1.28 million UAVs worth more than UAH 81 billion ($2 bn), with an additional 366,940 drones expected by year’s end.

The contracted fleet encompasses multiple drone categories, including “Deepstrike kamikaze drones, FPV kamikaze drones, DJI Mavic-type reconnaissance copters, reconnaissance aircraft and wing drones, as well as strike copters and aircraft,” the ministry reports.

“Such broad functional specification of unmanned vehicles ensures reliable support for combat units, helping to respond faster to tactical and strategic challenges,” the MoD reports.

For 2025, the ministries have already contracted 155,205 drones worth UAH 32.33 billion ($779 mn), covering all major drone types, including deep strike and FPV kamikaze drones, and reconnaissance UAVs.

Prime Minister Shmyhal announced on 1 October that Ukraine would manufacture 1.5 million drones by year-end, while President Zelenskyy said the country’s capacity to produce 4 million drones annually.

The ministry also reports that the Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Command has joined an experimental project for the procurement of drones and electronic warfare equipment.

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