Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the country can currently produce up to four million drones annually.
Key Highlights: In a speech to representatives from various foreign arms manufacturers, Zelenskyy revealed that Kyiv has already placed orders for 1.5 million drones in the first three quarters of this year. This figure far exceeds the original goal of one million drones for all of 2024. The plan is to expand drone production as Ukraine develops a "virtually new defense industry" centered on rapid innovation.
It's important to note that prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the country had virtually no drone production capabilities.
However, in response to the conflict, Kyiv managed to triple its domestic weapon production in 2023 and then double it again in the first eight months of 2024.
"A few years ago, the Ukrainian defense industry appeared, unfortunately, powerless. But now it is on the path to becoming a leader, at least in Europe," Zelenskyy stated.
