Ukraine to produce 1.5 million drones by year-end – Prime Minister

“Every day we work with partners to increase the supply of weapons and to develop our own defense industry. In 2023, weapons production tripled: every second of ammunition in the combat zone is Ukrainian. We will produce 1.5 million drones by the end of the year. We are not only producing drones but also training personnel to operate them,” Shmyhal said.

Starting today, the government is launching a pilot project to certify UAV operator schools.

“We are setting clear requirements for these schools and unifying the educational process. It will be easier for trained drone operators to obtain the appropriate military specialty,” the Prime Minister added.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the procedure for implementing a pilot project to create certified schools for UAV operators.

The head of government also emphasized that the security and defense sector was a priority in the 2024 state budget. Over eight months, more than 57% of general fund expenditures have been spent on defense.

Next year, the government has allocated UAH 2.2 trillion for this sector, which is 26% of GDP.

Drone production in Ukraine

According to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Ukraine plans to produce several million drones by 2025. This move is to prevent Russia from taking the lead.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls providing the Armed Forces with drones a strategic priority. At one of the military meetings, the issue of export restrictions from countries that produce components for drones was raised. According to the president, Ukraine knows how to ensure that these restrictions do not become critical.

According to Sergeant Yehor Firsov, a soldier of the 109th Battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukraine currently produces almost all components for the production of drones on its own.