The key task of the state is to intensify the production of drones, ammunition and other modern weapons and to supply them to the defence forces. This was emphasised by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at a Government meeting on February 1.
“President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set a clear goal – to produce one million drones for the frontline this year. Given the base and potential we have today, this is a very realistic task. The Government is working systematically to increase the number of Ukrainian drones on the frontline,” the Prime Minister stressed.
Denys Shmyhal noted that the Government was relying not only on state projects, but also on private companies and the development of the arms market.
“When 4 out of 5 companies in the defence sector are private businesses, it brings efficiency, innovation and speed. Over the past year and a half, we have completely changed the rules of the game. We have adopted about 20 laws and regulations that shape the arms market,” the Prime Minister said.
In addition, the Government has simplified the approval of UAVs for operation, removed VAT and import duties on drone equipment, created training grounds for pilots and testing of new types of drones and simplified the write-off procedure.
According to the Prime Minister, there are now around 200 companies producing drones in Ukraine, compared to just seven the year before.
In addition, in 2023 Ukrainian companies produced and the state purchased 100 times more drones than in 2022. In general, the Army of Drones has kick-started the development not only of the UAV market, but of the entire defence-tech sector in Ukraine. (Government portal/Business World Magazine)
