Ukraine to ramp up ground drone procurement to 25,000 for frontline forces over next six months – photos
Ukraine has signed contracts worth UAH 11 billion (over US$250 million) with manufacturers of ground drones as Ukraine's Defence Ministry steps up supplies of robotic systems to the armed forces.
Source: Ukraine's Defence Ministry
Details: The decisions on the supplies were discussed during a meeting between Ukraine's Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and manufacturers of ground robotic systems.
Quote from the defence ministry: "The key task is to meet the battlefield's need for ground robotic systems and ensure their rapid delivery to units. These systems are already carrying out important logistics and evacuation missions. In March alone, the military completed more than 9,000 missions using these systems. The goal is to move up to 100% of frontline logistics to robotic solutions."
More details: The Defence Ministry plans to contract 25,000 ground drones in the first half of 2026, saying this is twice the number for the whole of 2025. Ukraine's Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) has already signed 19 contracts with manufacturers worth a total of UAH 11 billion.
The ministry also said a number of decisions have been taken to speed up deliveries.
Quote: "Specifically, contracting has been unblocked even in cases where product costs have changed. Previously, changes in tax legislation linked to the application of VAT affected some contracts and caused delays. These issues are now being resolved in a comprehensive way."
The Defence Ministry also said financing has been synchronised and procurement volumes increased, while the DPA has accelerated the signing of contracts.
Quote: "A competence centre for ground robotic systems is also being created at the Defence Ministry. It will work together with the General Staff and the military to speed up the introduction of robotic systems on the battlefield and become a single point of contact for manufacturers."
The ministry is also changing its approach to procurement planning. Starting from this year, manufacturers will receive contracts for the following year. This will enable businesses to forecast production and ensure the required supply volumes in good time.
Background: Ukraine's Ministry of Defence said earlier that in total, ground robotic systems carried out about 21,500 tasks during the first three months of 2026.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!