KYIV, March 10 (Reuters) - Ukraine intends to acquire approximately 4.5 million first-person view (FPV) drones by 2025, announced Kyiv's defense ministry on Monday, marking a significant increase from last year as the country embraces more advanced technology.
Both factions have shifted towards more cost-effective and efficient options over traditional artillery, with Ukrainian officials noting that drones are increasingly targeting the majority of Russian troops and vehicles.
Hlib Kanevsky, director of the ministry's procurement policy department, disclosed in a statement that Ukraine procured over 1.5 million such drones last year, with 96% sourced from domestic manufacturers and suppliers.
"This year, we anticipate even higher numbers, with the domestic defense industry expected to produce around 4.5 million FPV drones by 2025," he stated. "The Ministry of Defense is set to acquire the entire output."
The ministry plans to allocate over $2.6 billion for this initiative.
These small, affordable drones are operated from the ground and are commonly used to carry explosives into targets.
Ukraine, seeking strong security assurances from allies before engaging in peace talks with Russia, is cultivating its defense industry to reduce dependence on Western support, a strategy that encompasses long-range drones and unmanned ground vehicles.
In a separate announcement on Monday, Kyiv's chief of staff, Oleksandr Syrskyi, disclosed that Ukrainian drones had eliminated 22% more targets last month compared to January but acknowledged the adaptability of Russian forces.
"We must not fall behind our adversaries in technological warfare domains where we should be enhancing our capabilities with our internal resources," Syrskyi emphasized.