Ukraine is significantly expanding its domestic drone manufacturing, aiming to produce up to 5 million units annually as part of its broader plan to build an independent defense sector.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Ukraine has depended heavily on military aid from Western allies. Now, Kyiv wants to reduce that reliance by becoming a leader in drone technology, with hopes of eventually exporting to European partners looking to strengthen their own defenses.
In 2023, Ukrainian officials reported producing more than 2 million drones. The government now seeks to more than double that output, making drone production a central pillar of its wartime and postwar strategy.
DRONES: THE FRONTLINE GAME CHANGER
Drones have become essential on Ukraine’s battlefield. Officials say unmanned systems are responsible for about 70% of the casualties in the ongoing war with Russia. In March alone, Ukraine reportedly carried out over 77,000 drone-based attacks.
Oleksii Zhulinskiy, chief technology officer at Kyiv-based drone manufacturer 3DTech, said daily input from soldiers has helped improve designs rapidly.
“We’re in contact with soldiers almost every day, getting feedback to enhance our products, add features, or fix issues,” Zhulinskiy said.
3DTech currently produces up to 3,000 drones each month. Other manufacturers across the country are also ramping up output as demand grows.
To support this effort, Ukraine has allocated $2.6 billion in 2025 solely for first-person view (FPV) drone procurement.
Zhulinskiy said international interest is also growing—especially from countries near Russia’s borders.
“There are many requests from European countries and companies. They want to learn more about our drones or buy them because of concerns over Russian aggression,” he explained.
With rising global demand and battlefield-tested experience, Ukraine’s drone industry could soon play a pivotal role not just in its own defense, but in helping secure Europe’s future as well.
