Ukraine plans to double down its deployment of drones in 2023 and has pledged a budget worth US$540 million for the production and procurement of new drones this year, according to the country’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.
The UAVs will be deployed to strengthen the Ukrainian military as it continues to combat invading Russian forces.
“In 2023, we are increasing the purchases of UAVs for the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” Oleksii Reznikov said in a Facebook post. “This is just the beginning. After all, this is not only about the needs of aerial reconnaissance.”
Reznikov said that the addition of new drones will help strengthen the combat drone capacities of the Ukrainian military. Besides combat drones, Kyiv also plans to acquire new UAVs for surveillance, to support artillery units, and in other missions, the official added.
Ukraine has been procuring drones for its armed forces from local manufacturers as well as foreign firms. Most recently, Kyiv signed a contract with German manufacturer Quantum-Systems to purchase 105 Vector reconnaissance drones. In August last year, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine had ordered 33 UAS of the same model, Quantum-Systems said in a statement.
“Vector has been extensively used and intensively tested on the Ukrainian battlefield, where it has proven to be an asset for military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. Its robust and rugged design makes it well-suited for operation in harsh environments and extreme weather conditions.”
The German firm also plans to open a training and support facility in Ukraine, with an aim to provide services to local UAV operators and also serve as the local hub for spare parts and repair services. The value of the latest contract was not disclosed. However, it has been shared that the contract would be funded by the German government.
US firm offers Ukraine drones for $1
U.S. defense contractor General Atomics has also recently offered to send Ukraine two lethal drones used for training purposes. The defense company said it would also provide training for Ukrainian operators and a ground control station to allow the Ukrainian forces to operate the UAVs from almost anywhere in the country, more than 24 hours per flight — all for just $1.
“We have offered to train Ukrainian operators on these systems at no cost to U.S. taxpayers or the Ukrainian government” Linden Blue, the CEO of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, wrote in a statement.
General Atomics did not specify which drones it plans to provide Ukraine, however, said that since the start of Russia’s invasion nearly a year ago, two options that it has considered include the MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1C Gray Eagle.
However, Wall Street Journal reported that “the deal would require Kyiv to spend about $10 million to prepare and ship the aircraft to Ukraine, and about $8 million each year for maintenance and sustainment.”
General Atomics declined to confirm the specific deal, but company spokesman C. Mark Brinkley said, “we do believe Ukraine needs a capability like the Reaper, and soon.”
The firm would sell the drones directly to Ukraine and not through the U.S. government. However, the Biden administration would have to approve the transfer of technology.