Ukrainian Military to Receive Advanced Drones by 2025
In a promising development for Ukrainian forces, the country’s military aims to incorporate more than 30,000 advanced strike drones by 2025. These drones, known as "Deep Strike" models, are capable of operating at extended ranges, striking deep into enemy territory and providing a significant tactical advantage.
In 2024, approximately 60% of the budget allocated for producing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has been earmarked for the acquisition of these advanced strike drones. Deputy Minister of Defense Dmitry Klimentov revealed this information during a marathon broadcast. He emphasized that the ministry is actively investing in research and procurement of cutting-edge drones, with a particular focus on the Deep Strike models.
Klimentov noted that the allocation of resources towards Deep Strike drones is a strategic move aiming to enhance the safety of Ukrainian troops and enable swift responses to changes on the battlefield. He highlighted that these drones have the potential to revolutionize Ukrainian industrial capabilities, describing them as a class of long-range drones capable of operating at hundreds of kilometers.
In 2024, the Ministry of Defense has already allocated over 340 billion Ukrainian hryvnias (UAH) for weapon acquisitions, with around 50% dedicated to funding domestic producers. Klimentov expressed the ministry’s intent to further increase the share of Ukrainian-made weapons in 2025, a move expected to draw in more international investments for the Ukrainian defense industry.
Notably, the ministry has initiated a "Danish model" of cooperation, where the Danish government directly finances the purchase of weapons for the Ukrainian military from local producers. This program has already secured 170 million euros for the production of Deep Strike drones and artillery. Klimentov expects international financing of at least 3 billion euros in 2025 to support Ukrainian production.
The increased acquisition of advanced drones comes amidst ongoing operations involving such strike drones, as reported by the military analyst Alexander Musienko. In July 2024, Ukraine launched drone attacks, or "Deep Strikes," targeting several strategic locations within Russia, including important airdromes. These attacks underscored Ukraine’s commitment to countering Russian aggression, demonstrating its ability to project force deep into enemy territory.
