Solutions to win: Ukrainian aircraft company Antonov unveils new drone center

The Ukrainian aircraft company Antonov is diversifying its primary business from producing cargo planes and strengthening drone production.

Reuters reports, referring to the closed presentation of arms manufacturer Ukroboronprom.

What is the problem?

Kyiv has used air drones to attack Russian airfields and troops and used water drones against ships and bridges. Ukraine is also a testing ground for unmanned aerial vehicle innovations from global defense suppliers.

Ukraine has been largely dependent on foreign drones since Russia launched its invasion on February 24, 2022, but is now able to produce many different drones thanks to heavy support from new manufacturers.

Due to wartime secrecy, the ratio of domestic and foreign drones in Ukraine's arsenal is difficult to assess. More so, soldiers use many systems, and UAVs are rapidly exhausted.

According to recent statements by senior officials, there are about 200 drone manufacturers in Ukraine, and its armed forces have signed contracts to supply 30 new models of nationally produced drones.

Most of them are post-invasion startups operating on a small scale, often lacking the manufacturing capacity and industry support needed to become significant players.

Ukrainian officials said they wanted to benefit from their engineering talents to develop the postwar economy. This will include creating jobs in the drone industry. 

A small Ukrainian drone manufacturer, which Reuters visited this year, is hiring former Antonov engineers to produce long-range drones.

What is the solution?

Drones manufactured in Ukraine have played an important role in the war. Antonov's plans are in line with Ukraine's ambition to become a global drone hub, fueled by investments in the sector, which has grown dramatically since early 2022.

The new Antonov drone center was opened "to expand production and provide support to private manufacturers with experience and services," Ukroboronprom said in their presentation. The document was presented to government officials in Washington in June.

How does it work?

The new Antonov Center offers experimental aerodynamic studies, fully functional simulators for training drone operators, and the development of component standards. In total, the center has 26 lines of work.

Antonov's cargo aircraft experience will also help Ukraine produce long-range drones to strike deep into Russian territory.

Antonov has designed and produced drones, particularly the "Horlytsia" model, but cargo planes have long been the company's key activity.

Although cargo aircraft production will continue, the new UAV center can now better serve Ukraine's military needs and give Antonov engineers more work.

Ruryka reported that the Ukrainian cargo plane An-124 Ruslan from the fleet of the Antonov airline company delivered the first American HIMARS jet artillery systems to Poland.