Ukraine catches up with Russia in producing kamikaze drones, says manufacturer
Ukroboronprom General Director Herman Smetanin (ukroboronprom.сom.ua)
In 2024, Ukraine caught up with Russia in producing kamikaze drones similar to Shahed-131 and Shahed-136, says Ukroboronprom General Director Herman Smetanin in an interview with ArmyInform.
According to the state-owned weapon manufacturer chief, a number of contracts have been signed with private manufacturers, mostly related to licensed production, drones in particular. Since private enterprises cannot provide the required number of drones, they sign a license agreement and Ukroboronprom enterprises are involved in the production.
"This has already yielded results. In 2024, Ukraine caught up with Russia in terms of the number of producing kamikaze drones similar to Shahed-131 and Shahed-136, as well as in the production of other attack drones," Smetanin said.
He confirmed statements by Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin, who said that "what explodes in Russia is all ours."
A large number of private development companies and scientists are also involved in the development of new types of weapons. There are more innovative developments, that correspond to the future, said Ukroboronprom chief.
As RBC-Ukraine reported, the Cabinet of Ministers allocated an additional UAH 15.5 billion to purchase drones. The money will go to the State Special Communications Service, which is in charge of procurement. The funds are allocated to buy 300,000 drones.
This is an additional budget to the UAH 43.3 billion already given for drones this year.
