Kyiv: Ukraine announced plans to acquire 4.5 million first-person view (FPV) drones in 2025, tripling its drone acquisitions compared to the previous year amid ongoing conflict with Moscow. This strategic move aims to bolster Kyiv's defense capabilities through significant investment in unmanned aerial vehicles.

According to Anadolu Agency, Ukraine's military procured over 1.5 million drones in 2024, with a substantial 96% sourced from Ukrainian manufacturers and suppliers. The Defense Ministry's procurement policy department chief highlighted the positive impact this has had on the nation's drone production industry, with expectations for even greater figures this year.

Hlib Kanievsky, a key official in the Defense Ministry, stated that the domestic defense industry's capabilities for 2025 will reach approximately 4.5 million FPV drones. The ministry plans to purchase the entire projected output to enhance its defense operations.

Kanievsky further revealed that the Defense Ministry will allocate more than 110 billion Ukrainian hryvnias ($2.6 billion) for drone purchases, with 102 billion ($2.4 billion) channeled through the Defense Procurement Agency. All procurement plans for 2025 have been funded, which will expedite the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles to Ukraine's front lines.

Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, Kyiv has focused on expanding its domestic drone industry and defense capabilities. The increased investment in FPV drones underscores Ukraine's commitment to strengthening its military resilience.