EU's security to rely on Ukrainian drones and technology — Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Office of the President of Ukraine)
Ukraine is set to begin exporting drones to Europe, with plans to open 10 representative offices in 2026. The country's drone technology will play a key role in the European Union's future security, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during his visit to the Kyiv Aviation Institute.
He noted that the first export hubs will be established in the Baltic states and Northern Europe. A total of 10 representative offices are planned for 2026, and production of Ukrainian drones in Europe is set to begin as early as February.
"In mid-February, we will see the production of our drones in Germany. I will accept the first drone myself. This is a working production line. Manufacturing lines are already operating in the UK. These are all Ukrainian technologies," Zelenskyy said.
The president added that Europe's security will increasingly rely on drones and advanced technologies, and these will be Ukrainian technologies, specialists, and drones.
"There are several different projects. All of this will be based primarily on Ukrainian technologies and Ukrainian specialists. We are at war, and not all companies yet feel they have enough freedom to enter all other markets," he stressed.
Cooperation works both ways: Europe is ready to purchase Ukrainian drones and technologies, while Ukraine is open to European ones. For example, Germany is set to manufacture drones that have already been combat-tested on the front lines—TYTAN Interceptor drones.
A Czech company working with volunteers is supplying Ukraine with fiber-optic FPV drones developed using technologies derived from captured Russian "Knyaz Vandal" drones. Czech engineers fully reverse-engineered and improved the Russian design.
Meanwhile, French automaker Renault, together with defense company Turgis Gaillard, will produce long-range drones for Ukraine. France and Ukraine have been working for some time to launch joint drone production for the Ukrainian military.
