About 60% of the production capacities of Ukrainian drone manufacturers remain underutilized due to a lack of orders and limited funding. Experts believe that lifting the ban on arms exports will not harm the supply of drones to the army; on the contrary, it will promote the development of the industry.
This is reported by Business • Media
The Importance of Export Opportunities for the Drone Industry
The President of the Technological Forces of Ukraine, Vadym Yunyk, emphasizes that exporting surplus products will allow companies to operate steadily, pay salaries, retain qualified engineers, and invest in production improvements. According to him, the profits from selling drones abroad are directed towards research and development of new models that are necessary for the needs of the front.
“If companies can export their surplus products, it gives them the opportunity to survive: to pay salaries, keep engineers, and develop production. Any profit the company makes goes into R&D – improving and creating new models relevant for the front. Without this process, innovation stops,” Yunyk detailed.
The opening of exports also paves the way for cooperation with European partners, which entails access to modern technologies, joint developments, and attracting additional investments in the industry.
State Support for the Defense Industry
In addition to discussions about exports, the government recently allocated 2.05 billion hryvnias to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, which remained unused in the Ministry of Strategic Industries. These funds will be used for the development of the defense industry, the implementation of new technologies, the expansion of production capacities, and the procurement of weapons.