The Ukrainian authorities has lately made important strides in increasing its drone capabilities, as evidenced by two main bulletins from official sources.
Hen of Prey Drone System Accepted for Fight
On March 26, 2025, Ukraine’s Protection Ministry introduced the approval of the domestically produced Hen of Prey unmanned aviation system for fight operations.
This method, developed based mostly on battlefield expertise, is optimized for effectiveness in opposition to enemy autos and fortified positions. The Hen of Prey drones are geared up with payloads able to placing heavy tools corresponding to tanks, armored personnel carriers, and self-propelled artillery, in addition to fortified dugouts.
The Protection Ministry acknowledged, “The Hen of Prey has already confirmed its effectiveness in destroying enemy armored autos and fortified firing positions”. This approval aligns with Ukraine’s broader technique to boost its unmanned warfare capabilities.
Bold Drone Procurement Plans for 2025
Earlier this month, on March 10, 2025, the Ukrainian Protection Ministry unveiled plans to considerably enhance its drone arsenal. The ministry introduced its intention to buy roughly 4.5 million first-person view (FPV) drones in 2025, greater than tripling final 12 months’s procurement.
Hlib Kanevsky, head of the procurement coverage division on the ministry, famous that Ukraine had secured over 1.5 million FPV drones final 12 months, with 96% sourced from home producers and suppliers. “This 12 months, we anticipate even better numbers, because the home protection sector is projected to supply round 4.5 million FPV drones in 2025,” Kanevsky acknowledged.
To assist this large procurement initiative, the Protection Ministry has allotted greater than $2.6 billion. This substantial funding underscores Ukraine’s dedication to increasing its drone capabilities and decreasing dependence on Western assist.
Lengthy-term Targets and Strategic Implications
These developments are a part of a broader technique to boost Ukraine’s protection capabilities. President Volodymyr Zelensky has set an formidable goal of manufacturing at the least 30,000 long-range drones in 2025. This concentrate on home manufacturing and procurement of drones displays Ukraine’s adaptation to the evolving nature of recent warfare, the place unmanned programs play an more and more essential function.
Because the battle with Russia continues, these developments in drone know-how and manufacturing capability are more likely to have important implications for Ukraine’s navy technique and operational capabilities on the battlefield.
Need DRONELIFE information delivered to your inbox each weekday? Enroll right here.
Learn extra:
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, knowledgeable drone providers market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory setting for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles centered on the business drone area and is a world speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising and marketing for brand new applied sciences.
For drone trade consulting or writing, E mail Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
Subscribe to DroneLife right here.