ChinaTalk · Jordan Schneider

How Ukraine Makes Drones

April 7, 2026·1 hr 4 min·5 clips

Ukraine went from importing 99% of drones from China to producing 5 million FPV drones annually in just four years.

This episode of ChinaTalk examines the rapid growth of Ukraine's domestic drone industry since the 2022 invasion. Host Jordan Schneider is joined by Kat Puchatsky, Director of Analytics at the Kyiv-based military analytical center Snake Island, and China expert Chris Miller. They explore how Ukraine transformed from a net importer to a major drone producer. In February 2022, Ukraine produced only about 3,000 drones, with 99% being fully imported systems from China like the DJI Mavic. By February 2026, 99% of drones undergo final assembly in Ukraine, with the FPV industry alone capable of producing up to 5 million units annually. The industry now includes heavy bomber drones, ISR platforms, loitering munitions, and unmanned ground vehicles. Early drone use was sporadic, with soldiers and volunteers initially buying commercial drones for reconnaissance before adapting them to carry explosives. Ukraine's pre-war defense industry had legacy capabilities in areas like jet engine manufacturing but suffered from underinvestment and disrepair after the Soviet collapse. A key insight is that Ukraine's drone boom was driven by civilian talent from software, IT, and even marketing backgrounds rapidly pivoting to defense work. The industry is not a "garage shop" operation but features large, often underground, manufacturing facilities producing tens of thousands of drones monthly. Frontline units frequently disassemble and reassemble delivered drones to customize them for specific missions, creating short innovation cycles. A surprising dynamic is Chinese component suppliers managing schedules so Ukrainian and Russian customers do not meet at the same factories. While both sides depend on Chinese parts, Russia is seen as localizing more production within its own special economic zones with Chinese assistance. Kat Puchatsky argues China may not want Ukraine to lose, as a prolonged war keeps Russia dependent and weakens a potential U.S. rival. Chinese export controls have created logistical bottlenecks, forcing Ukraine to rely on volunteer networks and shell companies for components, leading to reported shortages of crucial systems like the DJI Mavic on the front line. The tone is analytical and conversational, blending high-level strategic discussion with specific industrial details. This episode would appeal to listeners interested in military technology, industrial policy, modern warfare, and Sino-Russian relations. Those seeking a purely historical narrative or a discussion of frontline tactics might find it less engaging.

As heard by us

A sharp look at drone production, sourcing, and why supply chains still shape the war.

ChinaTalk frames Ukrainian drone manufacturing as an industrial problem as much as a military one. Kat Puchatsky and Chris Miller keep the focus on scaling production, Chinese component dependence, and the pressure wartime supply chains put on every part of the system.

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Why you'd press play

Press play for a clear look at Ukraine's drone manufacturing surge, its continuing reliance on Chinese components, and the policy lessons that come with both.

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