Vyriy Drone, a Ukrainian company, has released its first batch of fully localized FPV drones, assembled exclusively from domestically produced components. The drones were manufactured for the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection.
According to “Militarnyi,” the initial batch includes 1,000 thermal imaging 8-inch drones. All components, including the camera and other electronics, were sourced from Ukrainian manufacturers. These drones will be supplied to Ukrainian forces as part of the “Army of Drones” initiative.
Vyriy Drone clarified that the contract for drone deliveries did not require the use of exclusively Ukrainian-made parts. However, the company chose full localization as a natural step in its long-term strategy. For nearly two years, Vyriy Drone has been working to replace foreign components with domestic alternatives.
Company representatives also stated that they plan to continue supplying fully localized drones under future contracts. As part of this effort, Vyriy Drone has independently localized the production of frames, initiation boards, flight controllers, and radio control systems. Other components, including video transmitters and cameras, were manufactured by Ukrainian companies D1 and Odd Systems.
Interestingly, the cost of these fully localized drones is nearly the same as comparable models built with Chinese components. The tender price for such drones is approximately 30,000 UAH. This price parity was achieved through effective economic policies by Ukrainian manufacturers. At the same time, transitioning to domestically produced drones is a strategic step toward reducing reliance on Chinese components, especially as China tightens export controls on goods that can be used in drone production.
According to Deputy Minister of Defense Captain Valeriy Churkin, the ministry has been working to support the development of local drone manufacturing. “Discussions have already taken place regarding tax incentives for manufacturers, and these proposals have been reviewed,” Churkin stated. “I expect that within a month or two, they will be finalized. Most likely, these incentives will apply to Ukrainian producers in the high-tech sector.”
Churkin also emphasized that work is underway to standardize drones within the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Once this process is complete, the ministry will focus on scaling up localized production. For now, assembling drones using Chinese components remains more cost-effective than domestic manufacturing due to temporary wartime legislation that exempts imported parts from VAT and customs duties. In contrast, local manufacturers still face taxation and import duties on raw materials, making full localization economically challenging in the short term.
Source: mil
