650 Unmanned Aerial Systems Approved For Use By The Armed Forces Of Ukraine Since Start Of The Year

Since the beginning of 2026, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has officially approved and incorporated 650 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for use by the country's defense forces, with the majority being domestically produced. According to a report by UATV English, this announcement was made by the Ministry of Defense.

The majority of the approved UAS are strike copters, with 238 new models being codified. These unmanned aerial vehicles are relatively cost-effective, high-precision weapons designed to target enemy personnel and equipment at the front lines. Additionally, 231 UAVs equipped with fiber-optic control channels have received approval for use. Their primary advantage lies in their resistance to enemy electronic warfare assets.

Ukraine's arsenal has also been bolstered by 42 new interceptor drones. These unmanned aerial vehicles play a crucial role in modern air defense, effectively neutralizing enemy drones while remaining relatively inexpensive. Furthermore, the Ministry of Defense has codified 32 mid-strike strike UAVs, which target the enemy's operational rear, including the destruction of their logistics.

Notably, nine deep-strike attack drones have also been approved for use by the Defense Forces. The presence of this type of drone enables strikes deep into Russian territory, increasing the financial burden on the enemy and escalating the cost of the war against Ukraine for Russia. The Ministry of Defense emphasized that over eight months of 2026, a total of 1,526 new models of weapons and military equipment have been codified and approved for supply to the Defense Forces, with nearly 91% of these being of Ukrainian origin.