Ukraine Considers Lifting Wartime Ban on Drone Exports, Aims for $20 Billion Amid Shortage

Oct 9, 2024, 06:59 AM

Ukraine is considering lifting its wartime ban on drone exports, a move initially implemented in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion. The primary motivation behind this potential policy change is to scale up Ukraine's drone industry to match Russia's capabilities on the battlefield. Ukrainian officials and industry participants argue that lifting the ban could generate up to $20 billion in revenue, which would be used to boost domestic drone production and fund additional military supplies. The domestic drone industry is expected to benefit significantly, with companies aiming to sell their technology and expertise abroad. This shift is seen as crucial for Ukraine, given the current shortage of drones and limited state resources available to pay for military supplies. Dmitry Khasapov, head of Ucropsystems, highlighted the huge shortage of drones, noting that Russia has an advantage of 5 to 10 times more drones.