The Armed Forces of Ukraine have adopted more than 70 Ukrainian-made UASs since the beginning of 2024

5 July, 2024 Shark UAV on the launcher. Photo from open sources In the first six months of 2024, the Ministry of Defense authorized more than 70 Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial systems for operation in the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

The press service of the Ministry of Defense reported on this. For comparison, over the past year, about 60 UAS for various purposes were codified. The drones perform a wide range of tasks: reconnaissance of enemy positions on the contact line and in the rear, adjustment of artillery fire, strikes on enemy equipment, fortifications and depots.

The Ministry of Defense emphasized that the production of unmanned aerial systems was a priority for the Ukrainian defense industry.

Ukrainian Backfire drone.

2023. Ukraine. Photo credits: Mykhailo Fedorov

The procedure for obtaining a nomenclature code for a new model of weapons and military equipment has been simplified to 10 days.

Samples of Ukrainian-made weapons and military equipment that have undergone codification are allowed to be purchased at the expense of the state budget for the units of the Defense Forces. The government has also recently passed a resolution allowing the purchase of domestically produced drones through the closed Prozorro functionality. Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov noted that this was a "logical step in developing transparency" and increasing the efficiency of drone procurement.

According to him, manufacturers will now have equal access to government contracts, and thanks to competition, the government will be able to purchase drones more profitably.

PD-2 drone, donated by the Come Back Alive Foundation to the 92nd Assault Brigade. Photo credits: Come Back Alive Foundation

A customer who wants to buy a UAV posts a frame ad on Prozorro with a description of the drone he wants. Sellers can register in this frame, and then they receive information about the terms, place of delivery, and other data necessary for the purchase.

Next, an auction is held, and the seller with the most favorable offer wins.

Ukrainian ground drone. March 2024. Ukraine.

Photo credits: Brave1

In the first six months of 2024, the Ministry of Defense authorized almost 480 new models of weapons and military equipment to be used in the Ukrainian Defense Forces.