Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that Ukraine has achieved a remarkable milestone in military self-sufficiency, with domestic manufacturers now supplying over 96% of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used by the country's armed forces.
According to Umerov's statement on Facebook, Ukrainian companies produced and assembled more than 1.5 million drones in 2024, including FPV drones, attack copters, kamikaze drones, reconnaissance units, and long-range deep-strike UAVs.
This achievement marks a major shift toward domestic production and reduced reliance on foreign military aid. "Thanks to the Ministry of Defense's orders for domestic production, we are meeting the soldiers' critical needs while reducing dependence on supplies from foreign partners," Umerov explained.
The rapid expansion of Ukraine's defense industry, particularly in drone manufacturing, has been instrumental in reaching this milestone. Ukrainian-made drones now fulfill 96.2% of the military's UAV requirements in 2024.
The country has also begun mass production of the Peklo drone-missile system. The first batch was delivered to Defense Forces in December, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attending the ceremony. Reports confirm these units are already deployed in combat operations.
Looking ahead, Umerov emphasized that partnership with domestic enterprises will remain a top priority in 2025, building on the successful collaboration between the state and Ukrainian UAV manufacturers.
This development represents a major advancement in Ukraine's defense capabilities and industrial capacity, showcasing the country's ability to meet its military needs through domestic production.