The thriving Ukrainian drone sector is one of the most remarkable success stories in our industry. Despite ongoing conflict and uncertainty, Ukrainian companies are finding new ways to develop sophisticated, effective commercial drone systems.

In 2024, Ukraine produced more than five million drones. Over the past two years, the country has become a world leader in not only vehicle manufacturing, but production of drone components such as motors, flight controllers, optics, and antennas. Ukraine has also been widely recognized as an innovator in the use of drones for public safety, delivery, and agriculture.

Many of Ukraine’s successes can be attributed to lessons learned while developing drones for military operations. In a recent Commercial UAV News article, Staff Writer Juan Plaza discussed how national defense efforts like those in Ukraine can spur overall advances in technology. As Plaza stated, “the lessons accumulated on an expedited calendar in theaters of war will eventually benefit the uncrewed aviation industry at large for civilian purposes in terms of flying time, payload capacity, production costs” and more.

Similarly, Modovolo’s Justin Call recently contributed a piece to Commercial UAV News, “The Ukrainian Drone Order of Battle: Lessons for Commercial Drone Operators,” in which he detailed ways commercial UAV firms can learn from Ukraine’s recent experiences. He focused on how the country has been able to produce “inexpensive, easily mass-produced weapons systems,” and he encouraged commercial firms to draw insights from Ukrainian companies on how to scale operations.

Based on these and many other discussions about the achievements of Ukraine’s drone companies, it came as no surprise that the Ukrainian Pavilion was a popular destination for drone professionals attending last week’s Commercial UAV Expo, and the event’s special session, “Lessons from Ukraine Define the Future of Commercial Drone and Counter-Drone Innovations,” drew a large and engaged audience.

Leading up to the Expo, Commercial UAV News spoke with Valerii Iakovenko, co-founder of DroneUA/Futurology. Previewing the Ukrainian Pavilion, Iakovenko said, “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.”

Moreover, Iakovenko explained, “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.”

At the Expo itself, Commercial UAV News had the chance to learn more about the widespread interest in Ukraine’s drone industry with Olena Hutsul, Head of Strategic Communications, Ukrainian Pavilion (DroneUA/Futurology). In a conversation held at the always-busy Ukraine Pavilion on the Expo show floor, Hutsul said, “We’ve been meeting with customers and trying to get interest from local authorities. They all want to understand what is happening in Ukraine, about the UAV market, which is booming right now.”

Hutsul explained that Commercial UAV Expo attendees were interested in learning “about the drone market overall and, in particular about our production facilities.” She also stated that drone professionals were curious about the impact the country’s wartime regulations have had on drone operations.

The current conflict, she explained, has helped Ukraine “rapidly develop our drone industry.” That’s because loosened restrictions around flying have encouraged technological innovation and “given us the chance to develop very fast,” she stated.

Commenting on Commercial UAV Expo, Hutsul said the she and her colleagues have been grateful for the opportunity to interact with drone professionals from new regions and markets. “It’s been important for us to share knowledge” about the Ukrainian drone industry, she stated. “We’ve been able to answer some very important questions.”