War with Russia turned Ukraine into a superpower. The country currently produces around four million drones per year. The United States, for example, does not exceed 100 thousand
Ukraine has emerged as one of the world’s greatest military technological powers, producing around four million drones a year, according to a report cited by . The prolonged conflict with Russia transformed the country into a true global center of innovation in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), exporting technology and knowledge throughout Europe.
“It’s not just the number of drones, it’s the variety,” RAND analyst Michael Bohnert told the agency. “Probably more varieties than all the NATO countries combined right now.”
This same strength became clear when the president of Ukraine tried to use it as a trump card. In , which ended badly for Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian leader suggested sending “thousands of drones” to the United States in exchange for the much-desired Tomahawk. Donald Trump did not accept it, but admitted that Ukrainian drones are something that might interest Americans.
The models produced range from long-range attack drones to more affordable FPV (First-Person View) versions, operated remotely via onboard cameras. While the United States produces approximately 100,000 military drones per year, Ukraine has multiplied this capacity by 40 times, according to and .
Oleksandr Hrachov, director of drone manufacturer TSIR, is building a tactical drone factory in Finland, in partnership with local company Summa Defense Plc. “The war forced us to innovate faster”, explains the person in charge to Bloomberg, adding that Ukrainian drones have already undergone three generations of improvements since the start of the large-scale invasion by Russia.
The new manufacturing unit is part of the FlyWell consortium, which brings together several Ukrainian companies dedicated to developing air, land and sea systems capable of hitting Russian targets up to two thousand kilometers away. The group is looking to raise around $50 million to expand production in Europe and invest in new technologies, such as hydrogen-powered drones.
According to Jussi Holopainen, CEO of Summa Defense, the company already has three prototypes ready for mass production, following field tests in Ukraine. “Some will be supplied to NATO allies, but the priority continues to be Ukraine”, he highlights.
With the European race to rearmament underway, Ukrainian technical expertise is in high demand. Companies like Skyeton and Fire Point are opening factories in Slovakia, Denmark and the United Kingdom, often with direct support from European governments.
Denmark, for example, allocated 500 million crowns (about 67 million euros) to help Ukrainian companies relocate and expand production. The Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missile, with a range of three thousand kilometers, has already begun to be manufactured on Danish territory.
Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Ukraine’s defense industry has exponentially increased production, having grown from ten drone producers in 2022 to more than 500 currently. “You are not in the global defense technology market if your product has not been tested in Ukraine,” he added.
Ukraine’s combat experience is also influencing Western military doctrines. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth referenced the Ukrainian example in redefining drones as “expendable assets, like bullets,” signaling a shift toward mass warfare with low-cost drones.
“Ukrainian drones are simply more capable,” says Spanish engineer Konrad Iturbe, who collaborates with Ukrainian units in modifying commercial drones, in statements cited by Bloomberg. “They are made to be repaired in the field and combined with other drones.”
With the end of the conflict, analysts expect Ukraine to become a central strategic partner for NATO countries and a world leader in the production of affordable drones. “They will have the factories and the parts – very economically”, concludes Michael Bohnert.
Driven by a context of war that will now complete four years, Ukraine, which continues to be helped by NATO, may have found a way here to also be a help to its allies.
Looking again at the United States, the agency announced a few days ago its intention to purchase one million drones. Judging by Ukraine’s capabilities and Donald Trump’s words after his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, Kiev may well be the origin of many of the units.
