Drone supply to Ukraine’s Defense Forces hits record in 2024, Army Chief reveals

Drone supply to the Defense Forces increased to a record level in 2024, with volumes rising 19-fold, according to the Facebook page of Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi.

In 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces established the Unmanned Systems Forces, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

“Compared to last year, the supply of unmanned systems to our units increased 19-fold. The number of enemy targets neutralized and destroyed rose by 3.7 times,” he stated.

Syrskyi emphasized that Ukraine will continue to strengthen this critical component, essential for modern technological warfare.

Establishment of the Unmanned Systems Forces in Ukraine

In early September, the Verkhovna Rada approved amendments to the Law on the Armed Forces of Ukraine, creating a separate branch within the Armed Forces — the Unmanned Systems Forces.

By mid-September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law integrating the Unmanned Systems Forces into the structure of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Additionally, the Ministry of Defense previously announced plans to boost weapons production in 2025, focusing on drones and long-range weapons, including ballistic missiles. Ukrainian forces are set to receive over 30,000 DeepStrike strike drones.