In 2025, the Ukrainian Defense Forces began receiving around 200,000 drones per month, marking a significant increase in the supply of unmanned aerial systems, particularly FPV drones. First Deputy Minister of Defense Ivan Havryliuk confirmed this development, highlighting the substantial growth in drone production compared to early 2024, when only 20,000 units were supplied each month. This steady increase in supply continues to rise.
Havryliuk noted that the increase is not limited to FPV drones but includes a full range of unmanned systems, including those received through international aid. These drones serve multiple battlefield purposes, from reconnaissance to direct attacks on enemy positions.
In addition to aerial drones, efforts are being made to introduce ground robotic systems for logistical operations, mine clearance, and medical evacuations. Soldiers often face the highest risks when moving through open terrain, making it essential to transfer such tasks to robotic units as soon as possible.
By the end of October 2024, the Ministry of Defense reported that, in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation, it had contracted 1.6 million drones of various types, worth over UAH 114 billion. These included reconnaissance drones, long-range systems, kamikaze drones, attack copters, and aircraft. Of these, 1.28 million drones had already been delivered, valued at UAH 81 billion, with another 366,940 units scheduled for delivery before the year’s end. By 2025, 155,205 more drones had been contracted, worth UAH 32.33 billion.
The Ukrainian defense industry has played a key role in this effort. By the end of December 2024, Defense Minister Rustem Umierov reported that 96.2% of all UAVs for the Defense Forces had been produced by Ukrainian enterprises. This included more than 1.5 million FPV drones manufactured in 2024 alone.
In January 2025, Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin revealed that over 30,000 bomber drones had been supplied to the Defense Forces in the previous year. These bomber drones, often equipped with cluster munitions, provide a critical advantage on the battlefield.
President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted Ukraine’s expanding defense production capabilities at the Second International Defense Industries Forum in October 2024, announcing that the country could now produce up to 4 million drones annually. In November 2024, he revealed plans to manufacture at least 30,000 long-range drones in 2025.
| Year | Total UAVs Contracted | Value (UAH) | Delivered UAVs | Pending Deliveries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1.6 million | 114 billion | 1.28 million | 366,940 |
| 2025 | 155,205 | 32.33 billion | – |
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