Ukraine says it's developing upgraded versions of the Chinese-made Mavic drone

Ukraine has developed upgraded versions of the Mavic drone, originally designed by DJI, following China's limitations on exporting critical components essential for drone operation. The Ukrainian government-backed defense innovation program, Brave1, announced that three domestic developers have created drones that meet NATO standards and are already being utilized by Ukrainian troops on the front lines.

The Mavic drone has been prominent in Ukraine due to its versatility for personal and commercial use; however, the conflict has taken a toll on supply. Reports highlighted that China restricted exports of vital drone components, leading to significant drone losses, with units reportedly downing as many as five Mavics daily. In response, Ukraine has sought to develop alternatives, and the new models were unveiled by Mykhailo Fedorov, the country's minister of digital transformation.

The new Ukrainian drones are designed to enhance military capabilities, equipped with advanced communication systems resistant to Russian electronic warfare. Brave1 stated that these drones would greatly increase situational awareness for Ukrainian forces, allowing them to plan and execute operations more effectively. The program aims to ramp up production to ultimately replace the Mavic drones.

Among the new drones developed is the Shmavik, which boasts a flight time of up to 60 minutes, an operational radius of about 9.3 miles, and a payload capacity of 2.2 pounds. Another model, the Ukropter, offers a heavier payload capacity of over 4 pounds and a similar flight duration, reportedly demonstrating high effectiveness during trials and contributing positively to battlefield conditions.

Experts note that drones have become essential in the current phase of the conflict, with some stating that they are now as critical as artillery. Observers like John Hardie acknowledge this shift towards domestic production but express concerns regarding the ability of Ukraine to meet demand with reliable and cost-effective production.