Solutions to win: Ukraine’s government to allocate nearly $200 mln more for drone purchases

One key vector of the Cabinet of Ministers' work remains to strengthen Ukraine's self-sufficiency. The government will allocate an additional 7.9 billion hryvnias [almost $200 mln – ed.] to purchase drones.

The head of the Ukrainian government, Denys Shmyhal, reported this during the meeting.

"The daily challenges we are currently working with relate not only to energy. Our state faces them in many dimensions: finances, weapons, the economy, support for Ukrainian families, social payments, and security.

To overcome these challenges, one of the key vectors of the government's work remains strengthening Ukraine's self-sufficiency," Shmyhal said.

The head of the government emphasized that significant attention is being directed toward bolstering Ukraine's domestic weapons production and enhancing economic self-sufficiency. He noted that nearly 100% of the drone segment comprises domestically produced items.

Also, in January, the production of drones increased 10 times compared to January 2024.

Including, for 2023 and 2024:

• own production of artillery increased threefold;
• armored personnel carriers – fivefold;
• anti-tank weapons – twofold;
• ammunition – 2.5 times.

"At the same time, we produce about a third of the weapons we need ourselves. The task that the government sets itself is to bring our weapons production to at least half the current need," he added.

According to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet of Ministers also approves allocating another 7.9 billion hryvnias to purchase drones. The funds will be transferred to the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection, which will make the necessary purchases.

According to Rustem Umierov, the head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the department is launching a new model for providing the Ukrainian army with drones.

For reference:

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine has gradually scaled up the production of drones and even exceeded the plan in 2024.

In December, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a decision on direct financing of brigades to accelerate the purchase of drones. Combat units of Ukraine's armed forces will receive direct financing in the amount of UAH 2.5 billion per month, which will be distributed between the brigades for the purchase of drones.

Since the onset of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has markedly boosted the production of drones and aviation complexes, encompassing not only copters and attack drones but also naval drones. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine can produce up to 4 million drones annually. To date, contracts have been secured for over 1.5 million unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has launched licensed production of FPV drones based on one of the state-owned enterprises.

In addition, Ukraine has established mass production of the domestic analog of the Shahed UAVs. Dozens of such drones can be produced per month.

Earlier, the head of the Ukrainian Security Service reported that Ukraine had developed a unique sea surface drone called "Sea Baby."