How Ukraine is Driving the Drone Revolution

“Ukraine is not a passive player. We are driving the drone revolution, and we are ready to build it together with our global partners.”

Those are the words of Valerii Iakovenko, co-founder of DroneUA/Futurology. Recently, Iakovenko spoke with Commercial UAV News about the Ukrainian drone industry and how the Ukrainian Pavilion and the special session “Lessons from Ukraine Define the Future of Commercial Drone and Counter-Drone Innovations” at Commercial UAV Expo 2025 will showcase his country’s innovative companies and organizations.

(See a full list of companies taking part in the Ukrainian Pavilion at the end of this article.)

Commercial UAV News: How would you describe the current commercial drone sector in Ukraine? How have things changed over the past year?

Valerii Iakovenko: Over the past year, the Ukrainian drone sector has undergone a complete transformation. Ukraine has shifted from being a major user of imported drone technologies to becoming one of the leading producers of drones and robotic systems globally. In 2024 alone, Ukraine manufactured over five million drones, and in 2025, it became the world’s largest drone producer, not by volume alone, but by technological independence. What truly changed is the full localization of production: we now manufacture not only the final systems but also the core components—motors, flight controllers, optics, antennas—within our borders.

This level of autonomy is a direct response to the urgency and pressure under which our industry operates. It has pushed us to innovate faster, adapt quicker, and deliver results that match or exceed global standards. Ukraine today is not just building drones; it’s setting new benchmarks for speed, resilience, and technological integrity.

Commercial UAV News: Tell us about the companies and organizations that will be part of this year’s Ukraine pavilion. Are there any new participants?

Iakovenko: Yes, we have new participants this year, many of them previously behind the scenes, focused on OEM and confidential production. For the first time, they are entering the global stage to showcase innovations built under extraordinary conditions. But overall, the Ukrainian Pavilion will be a comprehensive showcase of the national drone ecosystem. We’re presenting companies from across the entire value chain, from hardware and component manufacturers to software developers, anti-drone systems, data analytics platforms, and R&D teams.

You’ll meet drone manufacturers specializing in fixed-wing, multi-rotor, and hybrid platforms, robotics and deep-tech suppliers building custom motors, PCBs, communication systems, and payloads, software teams delivering flight automation, swarm coordination, AI-driven object detection, anti-drone solution providers—an especially important segment given the global rise in airspace threats, and research and security integrators building national-scale situational awareness and defense systems.

Commercial UAV News: What would you like people to know about the Ukrainian drone industry?

Iakovenko: I want people to understand that Ukraine is not only surviving, we are setting new global standards in robotics, UAV production, and system-level innovation. What we’ve built over the last three years—from fully localized production lines to scalable field-ready solutions—is nothing short of a technological breakthrough. Ukrainian engineers are designing drones that function in GPS-denied, jamming-heavy, hostile environments, and they’re building software that iterates faster than any traditional defense contractor. Our cycle from concept to deployment can be measured not in years, but in weeks.

Commercial UAV News: Are there particular companies, services, or technologies that stand out?

Iakovenko: Absolutely. For example, we have companies producing military-grade navigation and communication modules that work in GNSS-contested environments, platforms that combine anti-drone radars, optical detection, and neutralization systems, compact, modular airframes that can be customized for agriculture, logistics, or security, and AI-based target recognition systems and real-time geospatial analytics. What’s most impressive is the rate of innovation. These companies deliver new versions every 1–2 months. That level of adaptability is unmatched.

Commercial UAV News: Why should companies in the U.S. and other countries do business with Ukrainian enterprises?

Iakovenko: Because Ukrainian companies deliver cutting-edge innovation with unmatched speed, flexibility, and field validation. The technologies we’re showcasing aren’t just theoretical, they’ve been pressure-tested in real-world environments where failure is not an option. This makes them more agile, scalable, and cost-effective than many traditional suppliers.

Also, Ukrainian firms are actively seeking international partnerships. We’re ready to localize production, co-develop systems, share expertise, and enter new markets together. Collaboration with Ukraine means access to some of the world’s most motivated and inventive engineering teams.

Commercial UAV News: What do you and your colleagues hope to learn or experience at Commercial UAV Expo?

Iakovenko: Commercial UAV Expo is not just a conference—it’s a global marketplace of ideas, technologies, and future partnerships. For Ukrainian professionals, this event is vital: it’s where we connect with thought leaders, understand global trends, and bring our vision to the international stage.

We’re here to both share and learn—to offer technologies that can change the industry and to find partners who are ready to scale globally with us. It’s about creating long-term alliances, joint ventures, and cross-border success stories.

Learn more about the Ukrainian Pavilion and the “Lessons from Ukraine Define the Future of Commercial Drone and Counter-Drone Innovations” session at Commercial UAV Expo 2025.