Ukraine boosts drone contracting by 300% in 2026 compared with last year
In 2026, the Defense Procurement Agency of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense increased the volume of drone contracting by 300% compared with last year. The purchases cover unmanned systems of various types and purposes, the Ministry of Defense reported on Oct. 11.
In 2026, Ukraine's Defense Procurement Agency saw a significant surge in drone contracting, increasing by 300% compared to the previous year. This expansion includes a diverse range of unmanned systems, according to a report from the Ministry of Defense on October 11. Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara emphasized the importance of acquiring drones for use at various military levels, from tactical to strategic operations.
He highlighted that deep strike systems are designed for strikes deep within Russian territory, while middle strike drones target enemy drone crews, logistics, and command posts. Khmara stated that enhancing technological capabilities and increasing the quantity of systems not only boosts combat effectiveness but also diminishes risks faced by Ukrainian soldiers.
Recent months have seen the agency signing contracts for the procurement of drones at a rate five and a half times higher than the same period in 2025, as reported by the Ministry of Defense. The number of FPV drones contracted in 2026 has already surpassed the total purchased throughout 2025 by 54%. Additionally, delivery rates of FPV drones have nearly tripled. These accomplishments are attributed to support from international partners and the expansion of Ukraine's defense industry production capabilities.
The defense minister, Yevhenii Khmara, highlighted efforts to make military supply more predictable. To achieve this goal, he explained, the ministry is synchronizing the needs of the front, procurement planning, and the production capacities of Ukraine's defense industry. Furthermore, predictable contracting benefits manufacturers by enabling them to consistently build production processes, calculate logistics, and order components.
Mykhailo Fedorov, the former defense minister, commented in a July 31 interview with The New York Times that Ukrainian drones represent approximately 95% of Russian losses along the front line, a level of effectiveness far surpassing that of conventional weapons such as snipers, howitzers, and tanks.
Written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
