Production of combat UAVs in Ukraine will increase 100-110 times by the end of 2023 – Fedorov at iForum 2023
By the end of 2023, the production of combat UAVs in Ukraine will increase 100-110 times compared to December last year. This forecast was made by Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Digital Transformation, at iForum 2023 during the discussion “Unmanned Robotic Systems as a Game Changer of War.”
However, this is not enough. There will be enough drones in Ukraine only when Ukraine has existed within the 1991 borders for at least ten years.
Mikhail Fedorov
The largest drone war in human history is taking place in Ukraine. To avoid losing people, you need to invest in technology.
Maria Berlinska, Aerial Reconnaissance Support Center, moderator of the discussion
Ukrainian Armed Forces adopt 40 models of Ukrainian UAVs
Mykhailo Fedorov reminded that the Army of Drones began with a meeting with 78 UAV manufacturers in December of 2012. This is a large joint project of many different teams – the Ministry of Strategy and Industry, the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the companies themselves, volunteers, and NGOs.
To date, 40 models of Ukrainian-made combat drones have been approved for use in the Armed Forces.
There are 17 UAV strike companies in the armed forces. More than 10 thousand drone pilots were trained in 26 partner schools.
Combat drones compete with artillery in destroying the enemy
Fedorov said that the Defense Forces’ combat drones are already competing with artillery in terms of destroying the enemy. According to the statistics cited by the Deputy Prime Minister, it was strike UAVs that were destroyed in 1 month:
- 194 tanks;
- 41 guns;
- 60 units of radar equipment;
- 36 SAU;
- 331 vehicles;
- 11 AIR DEFENSE;
- 8 MLRS and much more.
“Today, UAVs compete with artillery. In my subjective opinion, they are even more effective: UAVs can be used in a much more targeted way and this experience can be scaled up faster.
Mikhail Fedorov
