Ukraine Expands Drone Capabilities with New Approvals and Ambitious Procurement Plans
On March 26, 2025, the Ukrainian government made significant advancements in its drone capabilities, highlighted by two critical announcements from official channels.
Bird of Prey Drone System Approved for Combat
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry revealed the approval of the domestically developed Bird of Prey unmanned aerial system for combat operations. This announcement underscores the country’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its aerial warfare strategies.
The Bird of Prey is specifically engineered based on insights gained from battlefield experiences, ensuring it is effective against enemy vehicles and fortified positions. Drones in this series can be equipped with payloads capable of targeting heavy military equipment, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, and self-propelled artillery, in addition to fortified dugouts.
The Defense Ministry has noted, “The Bird of Prey has already demonstrated its effectiveness in eliminating enemy armored units and maintaining an edge in combat.” This strategic move aligns with Ukraine’s objective of fortifying its unmanned combat capacity.
Ambitious Drone Procurement Plans for 2025
On March 10, 2025, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry unveiled an initiative aimed at dramatically increasing its drone inventory. The plan details the procurement of approximately 4.5 million first-person view (FPV) drones throughout the year, representing a more than threefold increase compared to last year’s acquisitions.
Hlib Kanevsky, head of the procurement policy department, stated that Ukraine secured over 1.5 million FPV drones last year, with 96% sourced from domestic suppliers. “This year, we anticipate even higher numbers, as the local defense sector is expected to deliver around 4.5 million FPV drones in 2025,” Kanevsky explained.
To facilitate this extensive acquisition, the Defense Ministry has allocated over $2.6 billion. This considerable investment highlights Ukraine’s resolve to bolster its drone capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign assistance.
Long-Term Goals and Strategic Implications
These initiatives represent part of a larger strategy aimed at boosting Ukraine’s defense capabilities amidst ongoing conflict. President Volodymyr Zelensky has established an ambitious objective to produce at least 30,000 long-range drones by 2025. This focus on domestic drone production and procurement illustrates Ukraine’s tactical evolution in addressing the changing landscape of modern warfare, where unmanned systems are integral to military operations.
As the conflict with Russia persists, advancements in drone technology and production capacity are poised to significantly influence Ukraine’s military strategy and operational readiness on the battlefield.
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Related Articles:
- The New King of Combat: How Small FPV Drones Are Reshaping Modern Warfare
- Quantum Systems Expands Drone Production in Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict
- What Kind of Drones is Ukraine Buying?
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