Zelenskyy says Ukraine aims to produce 20 million drones annually

Ukraine currently produces 10 million drones per year and plans to double that figure to 20 million annually, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated.

Speaking at Ukrainian Statehood Day celebrations in Kyiv, Zelenskyy noted initial scepticism about the government's drone production plans, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

"I remember when I first publicly announced the state's plan: one million drones per year. There was a lot of scepticism everywhere — both at home and abroad. But now we can state: we are producing 10 million drones a year. Ten million, and it will be 20 million," Zelenskyy added.

The Ukrainian president further stressed that the country is approaching the capability to produce missiles for the Patriot air defence system and could become only the third country in history to sign such an agreement.

"It is important that everything works out and that Patriot missiles bearing the label 'Made in Ukraine' become a reality as soon as possible," Zelenskyy remarked.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov