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Commercial UAV Expo: Technological diplomacy and the scaling of Ukraine's drone industry

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The final day of the Commercial UAV Expo 2024 marked a pivotal moment for Ukraine, solidifying its position as a key production hub and significant player in the global drone technology landscape. On September 5th, the Fleet of Millions platform was introduced—an initiative driven by Ukrainian companies focused on building an ecosystem for drone and robotics manufacturing based on Ukraine's extensive experience. The localization of components, software, and ready-made solutions created in Ukraine was showcased at the highest level to the global technology community.

This event brought together drone developers, specialized component manufacturers, and public sector representatives, including officials from the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco. During the panel discussion titled "Fleet of Millions: Ukrainian Secrets to Mass Drone Production," the experts delved into Ukraine’s current drone technology ecosystem and explored its export potential, highlighting opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration and new partnerships.

The expert discussions began with a video message from Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov: "Unmanned technologies will play a crucial role in Ukraine's reconstruction, taking on tasks such as monitoring state borders, supporting civilian infrastructure and agriculture, and assisting in emergency situations and life-saving operations, to name just a few examples."
Addressing the prospects for the industry's development and the government's role, Fedorov emphasized that the approach to utilizing drones will be entirely redefined in the coming years, with unmanned solutions already being implemented across the country: "The government's role is to establish clear guidelines and create an environment where innovation can thrive, rather than being constrained by rigid frameworks. We have already developed a strategic concept for the innovation sector for the next 10-30 years. Ukrainian expertise, our brilliant engineers, and favorable tax and legal conditions for business development form the foundation for future collaboration and investment in Ukraine."
It's not only the corporate sector but also Ukrainian diplomacy that is actively advancing international partnerships. In his address, Dmytro Kushneruk, Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco, emphasized: "Today, Ukraine is at the forefront of UAV technology development, and our primary goal is to establish a strong dialogue between Ukraine and the United States, as evidenced by the quality communication between Ukrainian businesses and American manufacturers. It is crucial that Ukrainian companies have the opportunity to integrate into the global market, collaborate with manufacturers and spare parts suppliers, and forge new partnerships with international, including American, businesses. Therefore, supporting existing innovations and developing new technologies swiftly and efficiently is key to gaining a competitive edge in the field of unmanned technologies. Currently, the country is focusing on scaling up production and enhancing technologies that can be implemented in the U.S."

Meanwhile, a representative from Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs highlighted the country’s high level of integration of unmanned technologies into both industry and security sectors, which presents both an accomplishment and a challenge for the industry's future growth. Therefore, striking a balance between security and the commercial use of drones is particularly vital.

During the discussion, Volodymyr Gaplik, CEO of FarmFleet, highlighted the vital role of robotics in agriculture, noting that Ukraine remains a global leader in the use of agrodrones despite the challenges faced. This expertise is now ready to be exported, further solidifying Ukraine's presence in the international market.

The final day of the exhibition was particularly rewarding for Ukrainian companies, which earned top accolades, including an award for the best new product presentation. The Ukrainian pavilion, serving as the hub of Ukrainian tech businesses and a true standout at the three-day exhibition, showcased a model ecosystem capable of bringing leading manufacturers to global markets across a variety of industries.
"Our mission is to create partnerships and collaborations with foreign businesses around the world. I am confident that in two years, we will see an even greater number of Ukrainian innovations in U.S. markets," said Valeriі Іakovenko, co-founder and managing partner of DroneUA and Futurology.

Looking ahead, the Ukrainian pavilion at the Commercial UAV Expo will become an annual initiative, with plans to introduce even more innovative Ukrainian companies to the global technology scene next year.