🔶 Ukraine has overtaken the United States in the drone industry

Based on statements by officials, the U.S. Army is far behind Ukraine in terms of creating the capacity for an internal drone production line.

Travis Metz, head of the drone program at the U.S. Department of Defense, said that the United States is now in the most difficult initial phase of starting this process.

While Ukraine is expected to produce between six and seven million small attack drones this year, the U.S. program worth $1.1 billion will, by February, reach only about 200,000 ordered drones in total.

Metz also explained that getting from zero to 200,000 drones is far more difficult than expanding production in later stages. The U.S. defense official said that new Pentagon regulations have also made the development of this capacity more difficult.

Under these regulations, military drones in the future must be fully produced from components made in the United States. According to him, so far, most of the purchased drones have likely used engines made in China.

But in the upcoming drone tests in August, the use of components such as engines or batteries made in China will be completely banned.

Six Ukrainian companies participating in these tests in the state of Colorado are required to transfer their production to the United States as a condition for future contracts.

To do so, these companies have either previously established joint ventures with U.S. manufacturers, or are preparing to take such action.