Ukraine advances drone production without Chinese components — NYT
Illustrative photo: Ukraine has made progress in producing drones without Chinese components (Getty Images)
Ukraine has made significant progress in producing drones without Chinese components. The country is now capable of manufacturing drones without parts imported from China, according to The New York Times.
Ukraine increasing its own production
According to the NYT, a year ago, most Ukrainian defense companies were unable to produce the key boards used in small explosive drones. However, during this time, Ukraine has managed to make significant progress in localizing production.
Ukraine is betting on self-sufficiency in the field of drones, which are increasingly determining the situation on the battlefield.
According to the commander of the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi, call-sign Magyar, drones are currently responsible for more than 90% of Russian military losses.
Chinese components rejection
Brovdi emphasizes the importance of reducing dependence on Chinese supplies.
"Given the risks of sourcing components from China, which is unfriendly to us, the main task is to produce them in Ukraine. The strength of the Ukrainian manufacturer lies in the fact that import substitution has already taken place," says Magyar.
At the same time, it is still difficult to completely abandon Chinese parts. Due to China's dominance in the global market, batteries, carbon, and some other materials are still imported.
In addition, Chinese components remain cheaper.
Ukrainian companies join programs
Despite this, Ukraine is actively developing its own technologies. Two Ukrainian companies, including Defense Drones Tech Corporation, have already joined the Pentagon's program to produce thousands of inexpensive strike drones.
Most of the components for them are manufactured in Ukraine, and some are supplied by European companies.
Colonel Pavlo Palisa, deputy head of the Office of the President, stressed that the development of domestic weapons production strengthens Ukraine's position.
"If we import, that means dependency, and any dependency means a weaker position," he says.
Defense Drones founder Hnat Buyakin noted that the decision to create drones without Chinese components was difficult but necessary.
"The country was saved by $500 drones," Buyakin says, referring to the start of full-scale war in 2022, when Ukraine was significantly inferior to Russia in terms of troop numbers and ammunition.
Ukrainian drones
In March 2026, Ukraine adopted the Ptashka fiber optic quadcopter, which has a record flight range and enemy target destruction capability.
In addition, new Ukrainian drones began to arrive at the front, designed to replace the Chinese DJI Mavic. The first thousands of such drones have already been delivered to units on the front lines.
Another new development is the Zoom drone from Frontline Robotics, designed specifically for use in conditions of intense electronic warfare.
It is equipped with an artificial intelligence-based visual navigation system that allows it to find its route even if it loses GPS, and is also capable of automatically returning to the operator if it loses contact.
