The Ukrainian defense industry has the capacity to produce 10 million drones annually.
Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksandr Kozenko stated this during the Security Forum IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
He spoke at the panel discussion Innovative Solutions in Defense for Future Challenges alongside Commander of the U.S. Army in the Indo-Pacific region, Admiral Samuel Paparo, Chief of Defence of Germany, General-Lieutenant Carsten Breuer, Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, General Anil Chauhan, and Chief of the Joint Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces, Admiral Renato Rodrigues.
During his speech, Kozenko presented to the forum participants Ukraine’s defense-industrial potential, particularly in the field of drone technologies.
He emphasized that Ukrainian drones were significantly cheaper than foreign counterparts and, most importantly, had already undergone combat testing.
“Ukraine has brought the drone industry to a new level and is developing innovative solutions both in the air, on land, and in water. Currently, the Ukrainian defense industry has the capability to produce 10 million different drones annually,” Kozenko stated.
He also paid special attention to the combat experience of Ukrainian UAV operators. According to him, it is precisely this experience that is allowing Ukraine to develop new doctrinal approaches to the use of unmanned systems.
As Kozenko noted, drones currently account for 80% of all target hits on the battlefield.
At the end of his speech, the Deputy Minister invited international defense companies to cooperate with Ukraine’s defense industry, specifically in financing production, creating joint ventures, and exchanging technological expertise.
Development of Drone Production in Ukraine
The active production of drones in Ukraine is rapidly developing, particularly with the support of international partners who finance both the development and procurement of various types and purposes of drones.
At the end of May, it was announced that Germany would finance the purchase of several Ukrainian unmanned systems, including the Bars missile drones, Liutyi strike drones, and Flamingo interceptor drones.
The total amount of support for the production of Ukrainian long-range weapons is €400 million.
In addition, the European Commission is investing €910 million under the European Defence Fund initiative.
For the first time, Ukrainian defense companies have been included in this initiative — they will participate in projects related to the development and improvement of drone technologies.
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