Ukraine Ramps Up Drone Deliveries to Armed Forces, Commander Reveals
Ukraine is significantly boosting its drone capabilities in response to the ongoing conflict with Russia, with the country’s armed forces receiving three times more drones this year than in the entirety of 2023. Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, emphasized that this trend is expected to continue and expand.
At an exhibition featuring Ukrainian-made unmanned vehicles, electronic warfare systems, and armored vehicles, Sukharevskyi highlighted the importance of domestic drone production. He noted that 99% of the drones the Ukrainian military uses are domestically manufactured, underscoring Ukraine’s efforts to enhance its defense capabilities despite resource limitations.
Drones have become a crucial component of Ukraine’s strategy, particularly in compensating for artillery firepower imbalances compared to Russia. With Russia’s military superiority, Ukrainian forces are leveraging drones for reconnaissance, surveillance, and even targeted strikes.
As both sides escalate their use of drones, the conflict has evolved beyond traditional battlefield engagements to include strikes on military and civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been deployed to target locations deep inside Russia, showcasing their extended range capabilities.
Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukraine’s Minister of Strategic Industries, highlighted the dual impact of the country’s military-industrial complex, which bolsters defense capabilities and contributes to economic growth. The robust performance of Ukraine’s military-industrial sector has significantly contributed to GDP growth, with a 1.5% increase in 2023 alone.
Kamyshin expressed confidence that the military-industrial complex’s contribution to GDP growth would double to 3% this year. However, he cautioned that Ukraine’s government may face challenges in fully funding domestic weapons production. To address this issue, Ukraine is exploring options to secure international support for purchasing weapons from Ukrainian manufacturers.
Efforts are underway to facilitate purchases from Ukrainian manufacturers using foreign funds, indicating Ukraine’s commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions.
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