**Ukraine Builds Its Own Drone Parts to Counter Chinese Controls**
In the face of China’s increasing restrictions on drone components, Ukraine is shifting its focus towards building more parts at home. This move comes as China has started to curb sales to American and European drone makers.
Zhenya and Maksym, co-developers of DragoDrones, are testing a stack of small FPV drones in a field near the Russian border. They’re working on fixing faulty video transmitters, a common problem with imported Chinese drones. The pair has been making their own parts, including frames and fasteners, and have recently acquired a Ukrainian computer numerical control machine.
**Ukraine’s Drone Industry Grows**
Following Russia‘s invasion in February 2022, Ukraine began building out its drone industry. Local manufacturers like DragoDrones and Oko Camera have been working to reduce their reliance on Chinese components. Oko’s business manager, Nazariy Nikolaychuk, notes that the company has built many of its own machining tools.
The images produced by Oko’s cameras are crisp and clear, showcasing the quality of Ukrainian-made parts. Long-term, local manufacturers are keen to sell to Western buyers, particularly after a ceasefire allows them to export.
**Concerns About Chinese Imports**
However, there remain concerns that some “Ukrainian-made” drones are actually Chinese imports with minimal modifications. Maksym notes that while local producers are trying their hands at new links in the supply chain, many manufacturers still depend heavily on imported components.
For Oko, sensors remain strictly European, but most manufacturers within Ukraine rely on imported machining tools – traditionally Chinese, but increasingly Indian and European for those who can afford it. The cheapest components, such as transistors, circuit boards, wiring, or solar cells, are still largely produced by China.
**Ukraine’s Quest for Local Production**
Despite the challenges, DragoDrones is working to establish local mass production within Ukraine. However, they lament that this was a pre-war casualty of bad policy, with most electronic production closed down over the last 15 years. The Russians have also been copying Ukrainian-made parts, making it harder for local manufacturers to compete.
The story highlights Ukraine’s efforts to build its own drone parts and reduce its reliance on Chinese components. As China continues to tighten controls on key raw materials, Ukraine’s local industry is working hard to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity.