Ukraine unveils ambitious plan to produce 20 million drones annually
Photo: Drones (facebook.com/zelenskyy.official)
Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Mstyslav Banik told the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session that Ukraine's defense industry has enormous production potential and called on partners to increase funding and support for key military programs, according to Ukraine's Ministry of Defense.
Ukraine's defense industry could eventually produce up to 20 million drones annually, as well as thousands of missiles of various types, including both long-range strike weapons and missiles for air defense systems.
Appeal to NATO partners
Deputy Defense Minister Mstyslav Banik delivered his remarks online during the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session, which was held in Lithuania this year and brought together nearly 250 lawmakers from NATO member states and partner countries.
He stressed the need for stronger international support and investment in Ukraine's defense production and urged allies to reach $60 billion in assistance this year.
Priority areas for support
According to the Defense Ministry official, Ukraine needs urgent decisions that can strengthen its defense capabilities in the near term. Key priorities include:
- Air defense systems and missiles for Patriot batteries;
- 155mm artillery ammunition;
- Financing deliveries through the PURL mechanism;
- Direct investment in the production of Ukrainian drones and missiles.
Banik emphasized that with stable funding, Ukrainian manufacturers can rapidly scale up production and supply the front line with the weapons it needs within a year.
Wartime technological experience
According to the deputy minister, Ukraine has already changed the nature of modern warfare by making it more technological and cost-effective.
In particular, the use of medium-range strike drones enables thousands of attacks each month and disrupts enemy logistics deep inside Russian-controlled territory.
He also highlighted the development of FPV drones and digital solutions that provide reconnaissance, data analysis, and real-time decision-making capabilities.
Partnership with NATO
Banik also stressed that Ukraine is ready to share combat experience, technologies, and wartime data with allies.
According to him, this would help strengthen NATO countries' defense capabilities and support the development of joint technological solutions.
He noted that Ukraine views cooperation with the Alliance as a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership based on the exchange of experience and the integration of defense capabilities.
As a reminder, on the night of June 2, Russia launched one of its largest combined attacks against Ukraine, using hundreds of aerial weapons simultaneously. Kyiv was the primary target. In total, 729 aerial targets were detected, including 73 missiles and 656 drones of various types.
