The Ukrainian government has supported an experimental project on defense procurement of domestically manufactured unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for a period of two years.
Deputy Prime Minister for Innovations, Development of Education, Science and Technologies - Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov announced this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.
"A truly historic resolution was approved for the victory, which will significantly speed up the manufacture and delivery of domestic drones to the front, and most importantly - will create conditions for the rapid development of Ukrainian miltech. This will allow UAV manufacturers to more actively develop, expand, reinvest profits, and compete with foreign companies. Instead of spending months on unnecessary paper and bureaucratic work - the putting of UAVs into operation, their purchase and delivery to the front will be accelerated," he said.
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Fedorov clarified that the resolution fundamentally changes the approach to the miltech business on the part of the state. Previously, the profit on foreign components was 1%, and 30% on domestic goods and services. In order to stimulate the development of UAVs in Ukraine and involve more companies into the production and increase the level of localization of components, the state raised the profit share to 25%.
In turn, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov added that the independence of the military-industrial complex is one of the factors of the country's defense capability. "In the autumn of 2022, we achieved a drastic simplification of the procedure for the adoption of anti-tank weapons in the army. Today we received this important decision," the minister stressed.
He reminded that the Ministry of Defense received applications from Ukrainian manufacturers for 75 UAVs of various types. As many as16 state contracts with Ukrainian UAV manufacturers have already been concluded. In 2023, the Ministry of Defense will increase the procurement of UAVs for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and plans to allocate about UAH 20 billion for this.
According to the press service, the adopted resolution is aimed at simplifying all bureaucratic procedures and creating favorable conditions for domestic UAV manufacturers to launch mass production.
As reported, following consultations with the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defense concluded 16 state contracts with Ukrainian UAV manufacturers. In 2023, the Ministry of Defense plans to allocate about UAH 20 billion to this sector.
Photo: Getty Images
