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Ukraine’s Defense Ministry Set to Deliver 40,000 Interceptor Drones to the Military by the End of January
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
In February 2025, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense launched an innovative initiative to create interceptor drones, a project that has since made remarkable progress said Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukrainian Minister of Defense, during a meeting with the media on January 20.
According to Fedorov, the Ministry has been collaborating with top-tier international R&D teams, including the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies and Rand, as well as the UK's Royal United Services Institute. This collaboration extends to Ukraine’s own military and its “Army of Drones” initiative, which supports the development and deployment of high-quality battlefield drones.
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The minister highlighted that the government worked with companies developing interceptor drones in the Chernihiv region, offering a reward of $20,000 for each downed Shahed drone.
“At the time, no one believed in it,” Fedorov explained, “but now, by this month, 40,000 interceptors are expected to be delivered to the military.”
He pointed out that the Ministry’s combat units are directly involved in the fighting, providing real-world data that fuels further military innovation.
“War is not only about fighting,” he stated. “It involves management, logistics, supply chains, and cognitive warfare,” Fedorov said.
In addition to drones, Ukraine has expanded its market for advanced defense technologies, including missiles, electronic warfare systems, and munitions. The government’s efforts to streamline policies and increase margins for defense companies have accelerated the development of critical defense innovations.
Fedorov also noted the success of the Brave1 initiative, which has grown into the largest angel investor in Ukraine's defense tech industry, helping to fund the country's rapidly evolving defense capabilities. The ePoints system, a backbone for verifying enemy losses, further supports this innovation.
The Minister also shared insights into the Ministry’s budget and expenditure structure. With the help of real-time data, Ukraine's defense operations have a precise understanding of spending and budget gaps.
“We know exactly where the money goes and where savings are possible,” Fedorov stated. “We have all the necessary experience to change the rules of the game,” he added.
Earlier, it was reported that Ukraine is taking steps to create an “anti-drone dome” over the country, as Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov signed an order appointing Pavlo Yelizarov, the commander of the drone unit, as a deputy commander of the Air Force.
Fedorov explained that Yelizarov, known by the call sign "Lazar," will be tasked with overseeing the development of "small" air defense systems and drone interception measures, as Ukraine adapts its strategies to counter ongoing Russian aerial assaults.
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