-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
Ukraine’s Defense Procurement Agency has contracted a record number of multicopters during the first two months of 2026.
Тhe volume of drones being sent to the front lines has doubled compared to the same period in 2025, according to Minister of Defence of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov on March 11.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
The latest orders focus on essential tactical models, including Mavic, Autel, and Matrice drones. These systems are used daily by military units for critical tasks at the tactical level.
The increase in volume is a direct response to the specific needs and requests of units operating on the ground during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In February, multicopter deliveries rose by 17% over January figures. The procurement process was accelerated through rapid tenders to meet the high demand. Because these drones are frequently lost during combat missions, the General Staff is tasked with ensuring they are distributed efficiently to the areas where they are most needed.
Alongside the procurement of existing models, there is an ongoing effort to develop and test AI-driven alternatives to the Mavic. These new solutions are expected to be scaled up across the front line in the near future.
The 2026 procurement plan also includes significant increases in other categories, such as interceptors, FPV drones, fiber-optic drones, and long-range strike systems.
A new automated approach to drone procurement was introduced on March 10. Under this system, the demand for specific UAVs is determined by data regarding their actual performance on the battlefield. This shift aims to remove human bias and reduce the risk of corruption in the supply chain.
“In February, multicopter deliveries increased by 17% compared to January. We managed to quickly conduct tenders and contract the necessary volumes. The military requires large quantities—units regularly lose these drones during combat missions. An important task of the General Staff is to ensure effective distribution among combat units so that equipment quickly reaches where it is most needed,” Fedorov stated.
“We are already testing solutions that we will soon scale up at the front. This year, we are also significantly increasing purchases of key categories of drones and strike assets: interceptors, FPV and fiber-optic drones, reconnaissance wings, and strike drones for operational depth,” the Minister added.
In January 2026, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense announced the expected delivery of 40,000 interceptor drones to the military. During a meeting with the media, Minister Mykhailo Fedorov highlighted that the project, which began in early 2025, had made remarkable progress through collaborations with international R&D teams and the “Army of Drones” initiative.
The government also incentivized development by offering rewards for downed Shahed drones and utilized real-world combat data to fuel further military innovation.
Fedorov emphasized that the ministry’s approach integrated management, logistics, and cognitive warfare to change the rules of the game on the battlefield.
-9a7b3a98ed5c506e0b77a6663f5727c5.png)
-ef906d8c7daeee38b707ac8966246a92.jpg "Louis Vuitton Collaborates With Ukrainian Artist Nazar Strelyaiev-Nazarko on New Fashion Line")
