"Drop in the sea": why the military lacks drones and what will the export help

The state in 2024 allocated about $ 2 billion for the purchase of drones, but this does not cover all the needs of defense forces. Igor Krynychko from Skyssist manufacturer says exports will allow you to fill the budget and strengthen the army with new technologies. The Government of Ukraine is considering the possibility of lifting a ban on weapons, writes the American edition of Financial Times. The focus tried to understand what it would be useful for Ukrainian producers, the state and the army.

The head of the economic subcommittee of the Verkhovna Rada Alexander Marikovsky said the media that exports can bring up to $ 20 billion in Ukraine, which will significantly help the development of production of unmanned systems. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commander of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces Maxim Zhorin believes that drones cannot be sold abroad because they are critically lacking in the Ukrainian army.

According to him, the units are forced to look for where to get drones, to go to volunteers, territorial communities and private sponsors. "As a state, we have not even left half of what is needed at the front today. Ukraine is the first in the world to need drones now. What can be exports in such conditions?" He was indignant.

What is happening in Ukraine with funding and how much the state allocates money from the budget for UAV? According to the Law of Ukraine "On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2024", which was adopted in November 2023, UAH 1. 164 was allocated for defense. Of these, 265. 4 billion or 22. 8% - for the purchase of weapons, equipment, UAVs and ammunition, as well as the restoration of the equipment damaged in the battles.

Later, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Lieutenant General Ivan Gavrilyuk told "Armyinform" that more than UAH 43 billion was raised to buy UAV. In April, Prime Minister Denis Shmigal confirmed this amount and stated that another 15. 5 billion would be added to it from the budget. In August, the Cabinet reported another UAH 24 billion. A total of 82. 8 billion hryvnias or $ 2. 01 billion at a current rate.

Focus appealed to Igor Krynichko, the chairman of the Skyssist Supervisory Board, which produces Sulfur's unmanned complexes, certified Ministry of Defense and received access to operation in the Armed Forces. According to his estimates, $ 2 billion is not enough to meet the needs of defense forces that are constantly increasing. "I do not have one hundred percent information how much money is needed and this information should be closed. But it is only a drop in the sea. In my opinion.

We see that compared to the past years on the front of unmanned unmanned systems is increasing in geometric progression," he said he said . Igor Krynychko added that the state should certainly buy weapons for the army, but unfortunately, it is not able to pay all his needs from the budget. Domestic manufacturing companies notice it by the number of contracts, volumes of supply and appeals of the military from the front.

Businesses need not only to give defenders what is needed right now, but also to modernize equipment, improve characteristics, develop new technologies. It all requires money that the manufacturer can only take from his profit from the sales of serial products. "As of today, our production has been downloaded to a meager percentage, we can repeatedly increase production.

The need for our products is simply huge, but now it is very difficult, not only with state orders, but also with volunteers, charitable funds, other organizations that somehow somehow somehow somehow Purchased last year. Skyassist manager claims that exports will not just help Ukrainian drones, but will literally save them. Of course, businesses from Ukraine for the foreign market can significantly increase prices and make more profit.

This means more money not only for manufacturers but also for the state, because it will receive more taxes, and therefore will be able to buy more for the military, as well as other weapons. In addition, engineers will be able to conduct new developments faster, and the load on volunteers and charitable organizations will decrease. "I can say on the example of our company when there is a profit and at least some financial opportunity, we simply give the military our products.

Therefore, the opening of the window for export will be a huge assistance to manufacturers, the state and the army. It will be a sip of fresh air and fresh opportunities for any -what manufacturer, "Igor emphasized. He sees the export of drones with many additional advantages, such as creating jobs for Ukrainians and Ukrainian women while there are some problems with employment. It is also an opportunity to develop complex scientific fields to technologically ahead of the enemy.

The Skyassist team has repeatedly represented Sirko BPAC at foreign exhibitions, including MSPO 2024 in Poland. According to Igor Krynichko, their stand never was empty, interested foreigners were constantly approached. "This is very significant. It is clear that no one can match Ukrainian manufacturers with military experience, so they are already in turn. Today it is not just" conversations at all ", but sufficient proposals from some Asian and European countries.