Zelenskyy: Ukraine to launch mass production of its alternative to Mavic drones

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine is set to begin mass production of a new drone model positioned as an alternative to the widely used Chinese-made Mavic.

Source: Zelenskyy during a press briefing on Friday 7 November, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine

Quote: "Now, about Mavics. This is a very important issue… We have been looking for alternatives – and we have found them. There will be mass production of this alternative. The relevant contracts are now being prepared and financed."

Details: The DJI Mavic drone series, originally designed for civilian and commercial use, has become one of the most widely used and critical unmanned aerial systems on the front lines in Ukraine due to its compact size, affordability and high-quality imaging capabilities, particularly with the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Thermal models.

Ukrainian troops mainly use these drones for tactical reconnaissance (at distances of up to 15 km), artillery fire adjustment and, after modification, for dropping small munitions on enemy positions. They serve as the "eyes" of infantry and artillery units.

Zelenskyy also spoke about a report by Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, Commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, who presented a programme aimed at strengthening air defence over the city of Kherson. The president said the programme is ready and has received full support. He instructed officials to develop similar programmes for border cities and high-risk hromadas. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.]

Background: Recently, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine plans to reach a production rate of 500-800 interceptor drones per day in November.

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