Ukraine is set to make a major investment in its drone warfare capabilities, with plans to acquire 4.5 million FPV drones in 2025. The procurement, which represents a sharp increase from previous years, was announced by Hlib Kanievsky, Director of the Procurement Policy Department at Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence.
The Ukrainian defence industry is expected to produce all 4.5 million FPV drones next year, and the Ministry of Defence intends to purchase the entire output. To support this plan, the government will allocate more than UAH 110 billion for drone procurement, with over UAH 102 billion managed through the Defence Procurement Agency. This marks a significant revision from December’s initial budget plan, which allocated only UAH 44 billion for FPV drones.
Kanievsky explained that all procurement plans for 2025 are fully backed by allocated budget funds, ensuring a rapid and continuous supply of drones to the frontlines. Licensed drone production at state-owned enterprises, which was introduced earlier this year, is expected to foster competition, lower costs, and ensure government oversight at all production stages.
In 2024, Ukrainian state procurement agencies acquired approximately 1.5 million drones, a figure that is now set to triple under the new contracting plans. The increase in FPV drone production follows last year’s focus on long range deep strike systems. In 2025, a larger share of defence spending will be dedicated to FPV drones, including advanced fibre optic models.
The drone procurement budget now accounts for one fifth of Ukraine’s entire defence budget, which is expected to reach nearly UAH 500 billion. To speed up the supply chain, the Ministry of Defence is implementing a new system known as DOT Chain. This system will bring key improvements to drone procurement, including faster deliveries, better manufacturer support, and more transparent rules.
Under this new approach, military brigades will be able to select the drones they need based on real-time battlefield conditions. Delivery times will be reduced from months to just a few weeks. The system will also provide manufacturers with a clearer picture of demand, allowing them to scale production more effectively.
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