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The drone industry in Ukraine is undergoing a dynamic transformation, driven by innovation, global cooperation, and strategic investments. In 2025, drones have become a critical component of both defense and civilian sectors, enabling Ukraine to secure its skies, enhance reconnaissance, and lead technological advancements in unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

The government and private manufacturers are scaling up the production of combat, reconnaissance, FPV, and interceptor drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, together with international partners such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Latvia, Spain, and Romania, is driving large-scale agreements to boost drone production capacities. These efforts are supported by strategic deals worth billions, ensuring that Ukraine meets its defense needs while positioning itself as a global leader in drone technologies.

Key achievements of 2025 include the delivery of over one million FPV drones to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, contracts for high-speed interceptor drones capable of exceeding 300 km/h, and the launch of joint ventures with foreign partners for AI-powered strike systems and fiber-optic-controlled UAVs. The innovative DOT-Chain logistics and procurement platform has streamlined supply chains, ensuring rapid and efficient deployment of drones to the frontlines.

Beyond the battlefield, the drone industry also fuels economic growth and technological research. Ukrainian companies like Skyeton and Wild Hornets are expanding internationally, opening facilities in the UK and developing advanced interceptor systems. Legislative reforms, including tax and customs incentives for drone manufacturers, further stimulate the sector’s rapid growth.

As the industry matures, the integration of artificial intelligence, electronic warfare solutions, and advanced navigation systems is setting new standards in UAV capabilities. This technological edge, combined with international collaboration, solidifies Ukraine’s status as a hub for innovation in the global drone market.

Stay updated on the latest trends, agreements, and breakthroughs shaping the drone industry, from mass production of military UAVs to civilian applications that redefine logistics, agriculture, and emergency response. The future of unmanned technologies in Ukraine is here, built on resilience, innovation, and global partnerships.

Head of the “Drone Industry” project at Censor.NET Vladyslav Nedashkivskyi.
Contact email: [email protected]

What are the main trends driving the growth of the drone industry in Ukraine?

The Ukrainian drone industry is growing due to strong government support, international investment, technological innovations, and the urgent need for defense solutions. These trends drive rapid scaling of production, integration of AI systems, and expansion into global markets.

How is Ukraine increasing the production of interceptor drones for defense?

Ukraine has launched multiple programs and contracts with domestic manufacturers to scale the production of interceptor drones. The government provides funding, while international partners supply technology and expertise, allowing daily output to reach thousands of units.

What international partnerships are shaping the Ukrainian drone sector?

Key partnerships with the United States, the United Kingdom, Latvia, Spain, and Romania are helping Ukraine secure funding, technology transfer, and joint production facilities. These collaborations accelerate innovation and expand the global reach of Ukrainian drones.

How many FPV drones have been delivered to the Ukrainian military?

In 2025, more than one million FPV drones have been delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This record output supports frontline operations, providing critical tactical advantages against enemy forces and strengthening the country’s defense capabilities.

What role does artificial intelligence play in modern UAV systems?

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing UAV performance by improving targeting accuracy, autonomous navigation, and real-time data processing. AI-powered strike kits enhance operational efficiency, reduce human error, and make drones more versatile in complex missions.

Which Ukrainian companies are leading in drone innovation and export?

Companies such as Skyeton and Wild Hornets are at the forefront of drone innovation. They specialize in reconnaissance systems, high-speed interceptors, and international joint ventures, expanding Ukrainian drone technology into global defense and commercial markets.

How has the DOT-Chain platform improved drone procurement logistics?

The DOT-Chain platform streamlines supply management by automating procurement, ensuring faster delivery, and enhancing transparency. This system reduces delays and increases efficiency, enabling timely deployment of drones to critical operational zones.

What government incentives support the growth of the drone industry?

Ukraine has introduced tax breaks, customs benefits, and legal frameworks to support drone manufacturers. These incentives encourage private investment, boost production, and foster research and development in advanced unmanned aerial systems.

What are the economic benefits of developing the drone industry in Ukraine?

The drone industry generates high-tech jobs, attracts foreign investments, and drives innovation in AI, electronics, and logistics. It also strengthens Ukraine’s position in the global defense market, creating opportunities for export and international cooperation.

How is Ukraine preparing to meet future demands for drones worldwide?

By expanding production capacity, investing in R&D, and fostering global partnerships, Ukraine is positioning itself to supply millions of drones annually. These efforts aim to meet both defense and civilian demand in international markets.

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Latest news Drone industry

turbojet engines Ukraine starts producing turbojet engines for drones, missiles and aerial bombs. PHOTOS Ukraine has launched serial production of turbojet engines for drones, missiles and guided aerial bombs as part of a Ukrainian-Australian project. The company has already presented two models and is working to expand the product line. 7 366 54 Previously in trend: Development of defensive innovations Drone industry

Grant programme for Ukrainian component manufacturers Brave1 launches new grant programme for Ukrainian component manufacturers The Brave1 defence technology cluster is launching a new grant programme for Ukrainian component manufacturers. Under the programme, developers will be able to receive up to UAH 8 million to accelerate R&D and increase the technological readiness of their solutions. 10 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

DOT-Chain Defence: extra UAH 2.1 billion for drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine Funding for DOT-Chain Defence increased: military receives extra UAH 2.1 billion for drones and equipment – Defence Ministry The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has allocated an additional UAH 2.1 billion to enable brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to order drones and other equipment via DOT-Chain Defence. 259 5 Previously in trend: defense procurement Drone industry DOT-Chain Defence

Manufacturers of unmanned system components Over 250 component nomenclatures for drones have been codified – Shmyhal. PHOTOS The Defence Ministry has already codified more than 250 types of drone components, most of which are auto-guidance and munition-control systems, as well as communication and control system elements. 416 2 Previously in trend: Unmanned technologies Drone industry

VAT exemptions for defence: Parliament abolishes tax on imports of drones, electronic warfare equipment and technology Benefits for defence sector: Parliament passes laws exempting imports of defence goods from VAT The Verkhovna Rada adopted bills No. 14169 and No. 14170, which exempt imports of goods for the production of drones, electronic warfare, demining, and combat simulators from VAT. The exemptions are valid until 2027–2029. 1 145 6 Previously in trend: Drone industry Budget-2026

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Ukraine and the Netherlands agree on joint production of drones Ukraine and Netherlands sign agreement on joint production of drones. PHOTOS On Monday, Ukraine and the Netherlands signed an agreement on joint drone production. 835 4 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Sting, Wild Hornets General Chereshnya copied Wild Hornets’ interceptor drone: what company says Ukrainian company Wild Hornets, which manufactures drones for the Defence Forces, has said it has obtained a Bullet interceptor drone produced by the company General Chereshnya and considers it a 100% copy of its own Sting UAV. 67 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Karel Řehka Czechia launches national campaign to raise funds for interceptor drones for Ukraine In the Czech Republic, a national campaign called Charlie One has been launched to raise funds for interceptor drones for Ukraine. The fundraiser is being run by activists from the Skupina D association, which has supplied Ukraine with thousands of drones since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. 982 7 Previously in trend: Aid to Ukraine from the Czech Republic Drone industry

Latvia’s support: €20 million for drones, innovation and rehabilitation of Ukrainian troops Latvia to allocate €15 million to Ukraine under Drone Coalition next year In 2026, Latvia will allocate €15 million to provide Ukraine with drones and to support innovative research on the development of unmanned systems. 237 3 Previously in trend: Latvia’s aid to Ukraine Drone industry

shmyhal Ukraine and United Kingdom have signed licence agreement for production of Octopus interceptor drone, - Shmyhal The Ukrainian and UK defence ministries have signed a licence agreement for the production of Ukrainian interceptor drone. 937 6 Previously in trend: Drone industry

drone interceptor manufactured by General Cherevnya General Chereshnia Bullet interceptor drone already destroying Shahed drones. VIDEO Ukrainian defence-tech company General Chereshnia has delivered hundreds of interceptor drones to Defence Forces units to destroy enemy Shahed-type attack UAVs. 41 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Netherlands to spend up to €3 billion on counter-drone systems Netherlands to spend up to €3 billion on counter-drone systems The Dutch Defence Ministry has announced plans to spend between €1.25 billion and €3 billion to strengthen counter-drone capabilities, including additional air defence systems, interceptor drones, radars and systems to counter small UAVs, amid a growing number of drone sightings in Europe. 16 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

interceptor drones. Interceptor drones added to DOT-Chain Defence marketplace – Shmyhal Ukraine continues to simplify and speed up the process of supplying its Defence Forces with cutting-edge capabilities. 444 5 Previously in trend: Interceptor drones Drone industry DOT-Chain Defence

drones Czech company sold drones to Ukraine at prices dozens of times above cost The Czech company Reactive Drone is suspected of having supplied Chinese drones to the Ukrainian military with a markup dozens of times higher than the purchase price and of possibly engaging in tax evasion. 27 0 Previously in trend: financial fraud Drone industry

First 100,000 FPV drones delivered to troops via DOT-Chain Defence – Defence Ministry First 100,000 FPV drones delivered to troops via DOT-Chain Defence – Defence Ministry The first 100,000 FPV drones have been delivered to Ukrainian troops via the DOT-Chain Defence system, with almost a third of them using fibre-optic guidance. The Defence Ministry stresses that this new technological approach has helped cut through bureaucracy and supply the front with drones quickly, accurately and efficiently. 526 1 Previously in trend: Drone industry DOT-Chain Defence

UGV Protector Ukrainian Armor successfully tests Protector UGV Ukrainian Armor LLC has successfully tested the Protector unmanned ground vehicle (UGV)  equipped with the integrated Tavriia-12.7 remotely controlled combat module. 45 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

helicopter Special Operations Forces shoot down Russian Mi-8 with drone in mid-air for first time. VIDEO For the first time, Special Operations Forces shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter in mid-air using a drone. 11 727 40 Previously in trend: Destruction of Russian equipment Drone industry

UGV HEEMAR: ground combat drone showcased, already supporting Ukrainian forces HEEMAR combat drone, already operating in Ukraine, showcased in Paris Canadian company INKAS Aerospace & Defense has unveiled the HEEMAR robotic UGV, which has undergone combat testing in Ukraine. The drone is used for remote demolition, logistics and casualty evacuation, with a payload capacity of 350 kg and a range of 45 km. 4 673 3 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Defence Ministry certifies first 7 schools for unmanned ground vehicles operators First seven schools for unmanned ground vehicles operators certified – Defence Ministry Ukraine now has its first certified schools for operators of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). 395 0 Previously in trend: robotic ground complex Drone industry

Hanna Hvozdiar EU for first time allows Ukraine Facility funds to go toward dual-use technologies, – Defence Ministry For the first time, the European Union has allowed funds under the Ukraine Facility programme to be directed towards the development of Ukrainian dual-use technologies. 18 0 Previously in trend: Ukraine Facility Drone industry

Greece Ukraine and Greece to jointly produce naval drones for their militaries – media Ukraine and Greece have agreed to jointly produce unmanned surface vessels that will later be used by the armed forces of both countries. 538 5 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Interceptor drones, Alta Ares Ukraine to receive French counter-drone systems with built-in AI. PHOTO On 17 November, at one of France’s military bases, Alta Ares showcased its technologies to Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The company focuses on developing solutions to defend against kamikaze drones, including creating an AI-powered system for interceptor drones. 56 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

European Defense Tech Hub In Kyiv, first defence tech hackathon held in search of new air defence solutions. PHOTOS European Defense Tech Hackathon (EDTH), an event dedicated to finding solutions to counter enemy drones, was held in Kyiv for the first time. 42 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

munition Ukraine introduces 370 new types of munitions, 250 of them for drones – Defence Ministry Ukraine has introduced 370 new types of munitions, including 250 for drones. 764 8 Previously in trend: Production of weapons Drone industry

drones Germany will not build up drone stockpiles for war with Russia – Pistorius Germany will not build up stockpiles of drones as it prepares for a possible war with the Russian Federation, despite the fact that the war in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of this type of weaponry. 12 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha Sybiha: Ukraine can produce 20 million drones next year if it gets sufficient funding Given sufficient funding, Ukraine will be able to produce up to 20 million drones in 2026. 2 112 44 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Ukraine launches serial production of OCTOPUS interceptor drone against Russian Shaheds Ukrainian OCTOPUS interceptor drone enters serial production, Shmyhal says Ukraine has launched serial production of a domestically made interceptor drone designed to shoot down Russian Shaheds, called OCTOPUS. 3 820 29 Previously in trend: Interceptor drones Drone industry

Ministry of Defense Azov and Khartiia to order strike systems through DOT-Chain Defence marketplace The 1st and 2nd Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine have officially joined the DOT-Chain Defence weapons marketplace. The platform allows units to quickly order FPV drones, fixed-wing drones, bomber drones and electronic warfare systems from 60 domestic manufacturers. 876 11 Previously in trend: Drone industry DOT-Chain Defence

Zelenskyy: Ukraine and US start joint production of interceptor drones Ukraine starts producing interceptor drones together with US – Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine has begun producing interceptor drones jointly with the United States. 1 422 34 Previously in trend: Interceptor drones Drone industry

Finance Committee backs bills expanding incentives for UAV manufacturers Finance Committee backs bills expanding incentives for UAV manufacturers The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy has recommended that parliament adopt bills No. 14169 and No. 14170 amending the Tax and Customs Codes to expand the system of incentives for UAV manufacturers. 16 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Khartiia evacuates three wounded with UGVs in Kharkiv region Three wounded Khartiia fighters evacuated overnight by UGV operators in Kharkiv region. VIDEO Operators of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) from the National Guard’s 2nd Corps Khartiia evacuated three wounded soldiers from a kill zone in the Kharkiv region. 1 073 1 Previously in trend: robotic ground complex Drone industry

US helped Lasar’s Group UAV unit If not for US paying for 2,000 drones, we would have halted in October – Lasar’s Group commander Yelizarov Lasar’s Group, a National Guard of Ukraine heavy-drone special unit created in 2022 without state funding, continues to carry out combat missions thanks to support from international partners and private donors. 3 059 15 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Fedorov on drones Ukrainian drone manufacturers prepare reconnaissance aircraft, strike UAVs and bomber drones with digital links – Fedorov Ukrainian drone manufacturers are preparing a technological response to new battlefield challenges—reconnaissance aircraft, strike kamikaze drones, and bomber UAVs with digital communications links. 1 473 17 Previously in trend: Drone industry

interceptor drones Interceptor drones deliver strong results. We’ll keep developing technology – Zelenskyy. VIDEO Our air defenders operate almost every night, repelling Russian attacks. Together with electronic warfare units, army aviation and mobile fire groups, the success rate of interceptor drones has risen significantly. 3 026 47 Previously in trend: Interceptor drones Drone industry

drone HX-2 Germany scales up production and supplies Ukraine with drones similar to Russian "Lancet", - Defense Express The German company Helsing is ramping up production of the HX-2 combat drone and supplying it to Ukraine; successful tests and plans for serial production make this model a notable competitor in the tactical UAV market. 4 567 18 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Kvazar 3M EW Ukrainian company TAF Industries presents new and upgraded EW systems Mil-tech firm TAF Industries showcased new and upgraded EW systems in field conditions — the "Kvazar" and TL Spectrum — along with an analogue video-feed detection tool and a remote-control platform for electronic-warfare systems. 45 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Ukraine produces around 4 million drones per year Ukraine becomes drone superpower, enters NATO markets – Bloomberg Ukraine has become a global leader in drone production: more than 500 Ukrainian companies now manufacture roughly 4 million drones a year, from cheap FPV craft to long-range strike systems. 2 913 10 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Ukrainian aerial drone systems destroyed 77,000 enemy targets in October – Syrskyi Ukrainian aerial drone systems hit 77,000 enemy targets in October – Syrskyi Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi held another working meeting on the development of unmanned systems in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 258 1 Previously in trend: Unmanned technologies robotic ground complex Drone industry

The head of the NBU called for more active lending to Ukrainian weapons manufacturers. "Priority sector for country": NBU governor urges banks to step up lending to Ukrainian arms manufacturers The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has called on commercial banks to increase lending to defense industry enterprises. 11 0 Previously in trend: Ukrainian weapons production Drone industry

Procurement of weapons Arms exports from Ukraine: When will they resume and what do industry players say? The government is actively working to unblock arms exports; however, the first contracts are unlikely to be signed before the second half of 2026. 19 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Strike ground robotic systems Over 100 Ukrainian-made weapon systems approved for use in October – Ministry of Defence In October, the Ministry of Defence approved for use in the Armed Forces of Ukraine more than 100 new domestically produced weapons and military systems. The number of newly approved systems rose compared with the previous two months. 554 10 Previously in trend: Production of Ukrainian equipment Production of weapons Drone industry

US plans to purchase up to one million drones per year U.S. plans to procure one million drones, drawing on experience from Ukraine–Russia war – Reuters The U.S. Army plans to purchase at least 1 million drones over the next two to three years as part of a major procurement program and potential confrontation with China. 1 216 10 Previously in trend: Drone industry

DOT-Chain Defence to become the primary platform for UAV procurement 70% of UAV procurement in 2026 to go through DOT-Chain Defence – Defense Ministry The Ministry of Defense plans to move 70% of UAV procurement to the DOT-Chain Defence digital platform in 2026. The system enables direct purchases from manufacturers and cuts delivery times to as little as two weeks. 356 4 Previously in trend: Drone industry DOT-Chain Defence

Unmanned Systems Forces announce recruitment drive for the Armed Forces of Ukraine "We are looking for nerds, not tigers," Madyar posted original motivational video of USF. VIDEO Commander of Unmanned Systems Forces Robert "Madyar" Brovdi has released an original video calling on civilians with no combat experience to join the USF. 25 493 27 Previously in trend: Recruitment Center Magyar appointed commander of Unmanned Systems Forces Drone industry

The story of evacuation with the help of the Ground Robotic Complex of Khartiia brigade Evacuation of wounded using ground-based robotic complex: story of soldier from "Khartiia" The New York Times published a story about the evacuation of wounded defenders using a ground-based robotic complex. 2 093 1 Previously in trend: Evacuation by ground drone Drone industry

HACC Embezzlement on drones: HACC sets bail of UAH 12 million and UAH 5 million for two State Special Communications officials The High Anti-Corruption Court has imposed preventive measures on two officials of the State Special Communications Service, whom NABU and SAPO suspect of embezzling state funds during drone procurement for the Ukrainian military. 601 2 Previously in trend: Drone industry Drone procurement corruption