Ukraine Is Making FPV Drones Without Chinese Parts And At Lower Cost

**Achieving Sovereignty in Drone Production: The Ukrainian Experience**
Ukraine has made significant strides in producing drones using entirely locally made components, a feat that has caught the attention of the international community. This achievement has far-reaching implications for the country’s defense capabilities and its economic prospects. ### Building Local Capacity
The Ukrainian company Vyriy Drone has been making FPVs (Fixed-Wing Piloted Vehicles) for over two years. Recently, they successfully completed the production of the first 1,000 “all-Ukrainian” FPV drones. This milestone marks a significant milestone in Ukraine’s journey to build local drone production capacity. #### Key Benefits of Local Drone Production
• Frames, initiation boards, flight controllers, and radio control systems are all made locally by Vyriy Drone. • Other components, such as cameras and video transmitters, are sourced from Ukrainian companies. • While some electronic chips may come from China or other countries, these are simple building blocks that can be sourced from other countries, including the U.S. and Japan. Dr. Oleksandra Molloy, a researcher at the University of New South Wales, has conducted a study on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. Her research highlights the importance of sovereign drone production. “While since the start of the war, most of the components were brought from China, most of them now are produced locally,” Molloy said. “Ukrainian manufacturers are constantly looking for components to improve them.”
### Cutting China Out of the Supply Chain
China is reportedly tightening export controls on the sale of components used in drone production. Cutting China out of the supply chain removes a critical dependency and allows Ukraine to develop its own unique drone designs. #### Example: Thermal Imaging
Frames and propellers are relatively easy to make without a major investment in production machinery. Other components, such as thermal imagers, are more challenging. Ukrainian makers Wild Hornets have spent considerable time finding Chinese suppliers who meet their requirements for cost and capability. However, in 2024, Ukrainian start-up Odd Systems announced that they are producing locally-made thermal imagers, comparable to Chinese 256×192 pixel imagers, but at a lower cost of $250. ### A Strategic Move
Local production has significant benefits on the macro scale of defense procurement. Drones now dominate the battlefield, and local production allows for a faster cycle of innovation and adaptation. #### Benefits of Local Production
• Faster cycle of innovation and adaptation
• Control over all aspects of the technological process, including improvement and adaptation to specific military needs
• Reduced risks of defective parts
• Domestic production mitigates vulnerabilities associated with international supply chain disruptions and potential political constraints on foreign procurement
As seen in Ukraine, local production can also mean getting more drones for less. Molloy notes that other countries are now starting to wake up to the importance of local production, many of them gaining directly from Ukraine’s experience. #### International Collaboration
In Europe, many countries are investing in establishing joint manufacturing of UAV components. Collaboration between manufacturers and local businesses has made it possible for many countries to step up their own production of UAVs and their components. #### Conclusion
Ukraine’s achievement in producing drones using entirely locally made components is a significant milestone in the country’s defense and economic development. The benefits of local drone production are numerous, and other countries are taking notice. As the war in Ukraine continues, the country’s drone production will remain a cornerstone of its defense efforts. After the war, Ukrainian drone production may become a significant export earner, as other nations scramble to build their own drone arsenals. **Defining Sovereignty in Drone Production**
Sovereignty in drone production refers to the ability of a country to design, manufacture, and operate drones without relying on foreign suppliers or governments. This concept has gained significant attention in recent years, particularly in the context of Ukraine’s experience. **Ukrainian Drone Production: A Model for Other Countries**
Ukraine’s achievement in producing drones using entirely locally made components has set a precedent for other countries. The country’s experience has shown that local drone production is possible and beneficial, both economically and strategically. **The Future of Drone Production**
As the world becomes increasingly dependent on drones for defense, surveillance, and other applications, the importance of local drone production will only continue to grow. Ukraine’s achievement has demonstrated that sovereignty in drone production is possible and that local production can offer significant benefits. **Recommendations for Other Countries**
1. Establish joint manufacturing of UAV components with local businesses and manufacturers. 2. Invest in drone technology and infrastructure to develop local production capacity. 3. Collaborate with other countries to share knowledge and expertise in drone production. 4. Develop strategic partnerships with local suppliers to reduce dependence on foreign countries. By following Ukraine’s example, other countries can achieve sovereignty in drone production, reduce their dependence on foreign suppliers, and gain significant economic and strategic benefits.