Shmyhal: Ukraine to manufacture 1.5 million drones by end of year

This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a government meeting, the video of which he published on Telegram.

"Another direction of support for our army is the increase in the number of weapons and equipment available to the defenders of Ukraine. We cooperate with partners daily to increase weapon supplies, and we are also working on developing our own defense-industrial complex. In 2023, weapon production has tripled: every second ammunition in the combat zone is Ukrainian. By the end of the year, we will produce 1.5 million drones. We are not only producing drones but also preparing personnel to operate them," he said.

Shmyhal also noted that from today the government is starting an experimental project to certify drone operator schools.

"We are setting clear requirements for these schools and standardizing the training process. Trained drone operators will find it easier to obtain relevant military registration specialties," he explained.

The head of the government reminded that the security and defense sector was a priority in the state budget for 2024. According to him, for eight months more than 57% of the general fund expenditures were directed to defense needs.

Shmyhal added that next year the government has allocated 2.2 trillion UAH for this sector, which is 26% of GDP.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the procedure for implementing an experimental project to create certified drone operator schools and unmanned aviation complexes.

"Since the start of the full-scale invasion, dozens of private training centers for drone pilots have appeared in Ukraine; however, there is currently no unified system for regulating their activities. The government has passed a resolution that initiates the certification of private drone schools," reads the announcement by Vice Prime Minister for Innovations, Development of Education, Science and Technology - Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.

This resolution was adopted during the government meeting on October 1, 2024.

Educational institutions will be able to obtain a certificate and officially train operators, who after successfully passing exams, will be able to take positions as drone operators in military units of all components of the Security and Defence Forces.

To obtain a license, an educational institution must conduct training in drone operation or manufacturing, have at least three drones for training and pilot certification, and provide training programs for pilot preparation on these devices. The institution must also employ at least three certified instructors for conducting training.