Defense Minister: Ukrainian drone manufacturers working at “tremendous pace”

Ukraine is rapidly boosting drone production to fulfill military requirements, with a focus on efficiency and diversification of drone models, as per Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

byYuri Zoria

25/12/2023

2 minute read

The SHARK UAV. Photo: Ukrspecsystems

Defense Minister: Ukrainian drone manufacturers working at “tremendous pace”

Ukraine's Ministry of Defense aims to provide the military with the maximum number of drones as manufacturers work at a “tremendous pace.” Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that in an interview with Suspilne, Ukrinform reports.

"In line with the demand, we are now starting to purchase them (drones - ed.), produce them, work with partners so that they also donate them as international technical assistance. We can meet the target announced by both volunteers and authorities," said the minister, according to Ukrinform.

He underscored the ministry's objective of maximizing drone provision to the Army. Following the formulation of a 2024 drone supply action plan, an initial tranche of 55 UAH billion was allocated. The Ministry of Defense is diligently executing the plan, expediting procurement and production efforts, in addition to the previously approved 55 UAH billion. The minister highlighted the remarkable pace at which producers have been working in recent months. Earlier, Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshyn promised that the government would procure 50,000 drones in December. Umerov says the funds for this procurement have already been allocated. He pointed out that there are over 200 types of drones and several hundred manufacturers, many of whom have not operated at such capacity before. The ministry is actively testing this capacity and working systematically to explore more efficiently utilizing various drone types, including FPVs, bombers, and sea surface drones.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that Ukrainian military brigades will receive one million domestically produced drones, highlighting a significant push in UAV manufacturing.