According to The New York Times On January 17, citing US officials, this country has made a large investment to help Ukraine start and expand UAV production to fight the Russian military.
The above support is said to “take place largely in the dark” with the aim of helping Ukraine develop a new generation of UAVs and revolutionary methods of warfare. In addition to technical support, the US also spent a significant amount of money, including 1.5 billion USD sent in September 2024, to develop UAV production in Ukraine.
Ukraine promotes domestic UAV production
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan once said this support “had a real strategic impact” on the course of the war. Mr. Sullivan said: “We see UAVs playing an increasingly important role in the fighting in Ukraine and will play an important role in all future wars.”
Mr. Sullivan noted that work on UAVs began after Ukraine’s first counterattack in the fall of 2022. This work continued into 2023, but encountered many difficulties.
A Ukrainian soldier used a Vector-type medium-range reconnaissance UAV in the country in March 2024
In addition to financial support, the US Joe Biden administration is also making efforts to build relationships between US technology companies and Ukrainian UAV manufacturers. The US has helped drone manufacturers buy spare parts. According to The New York Times Citing well-informed sources, the US has also sent intelligence personnel to Ukraine to help develop the program.
In a recent interview, Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William J. Burns indirectly mentioned his agency’s support of the UAV program in Ukraine. “I think our intelligence support has helped the Ukrainians protect themselves. Not only in sharing intelligence, but also supporting some very effective systems,” Mr. Burns shared.
Under the support of the US, Ukraine is constantly making efforts to create, produce and launch many new types of UAVs. Accordingly, Ukraine developed the Palianytsia missile UAV in 2024. Ukraine also successfully tested a fiber optic UAV. These UAVs provide protected control even in conditions where the enemy uses a form of electronic warfare. At the same time, Ukraine continues to launch many new weapons such as Peklo and Ruta missiles, Tryzub air defense laser system.
