Ukrainian drone manufacturers have conducted flight tests of their proposed replacement for the Chinese Mavic drone, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the armed forces.
During a demonstration organized by the Ministry of Strategic Industries, eight domestic drone developers showcased their solutions, which resembled DJI Mavic unmanned aerial vehicles. Six teams successfully completed flight missions that involved covering a distance of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) at an altitude exceeding 250 meters (820 feet), including a target search.
The quality, features, characteristics, and production capabilities of the presented solutions were assessed by several military and government bodies, including the General Staff, the Unmanned Systems Forces Command, and the Logistics Forces Command, along with other military units. The Ministry of Defense has since tested and codified two of these unmanned reconnaissance platforms.
The best solutions that align with the needs of the Ukrainian armed forces are expected to be procured. Minister of Strategic Industries, Herman Smetanin, expressed gratitude through a Telegram post, stating, “I thank the Ukrainian teams of manufacturers who were able to create such a product in Ukraine. Inexpensive, functional, easy to manage. And most importantly, it is created inside the country, which, firstly, makes us more independent from foreign supplies, and secondly, it leaves money in the country.”
In a broader context, last year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced an ambitious plan for the country to produce one million drones by 2024 in order to secure an advantage in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Despite a significant increase in domestic drone production, these efforts faced challenges, as they were often outmatched by cheaper Chinese drones due to insufficient state funding.
