War presents new challenges every day. One of the key ones is military technology. Ukraine must be one step ahead of the enemy and protect each of our soldiers. Drones provide such opportunities. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized this in his speech at the forum dedicated to the anniversary of the "Army of Drones" project.

The event was held in Kyiv on July 25 with the participation of First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy Yuliia Svyrydenko, Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin and Minister of Finance Serhii Marchenko.

As Denys Shmyhal noted, the forum united Ukrainian UAV manufacturers and provided a platform to discuss and present advanced technologies in this direction.

"A year ago, through President Volodymyr Zelensky's UNITED24 initiative, we raised over ₴4 billion, which we invested in Ukrainian drone manufacturers. At that time there were less than a dozen of them. Today, there are more than 40 companies that have contracts with the state, and the production of UAVs has increased tenfold," the Prime Minister emphasized.

For its part, the Government has allocated ₴40 billion this year, which it will invest in Ukrainian manufacturers of drones. Denys Shmyhal noted that the Government removed customs barriers for the import of spare parts and components, raised the share of UAV manufacturers' profits to 25%, and also made a decision that will promote the mass production of ammunition for drones.

"The video of the use of Ukrainian drones to destroy Russian equipment is the best result and evidence of our joint actions with Ukrainian manufacturers. Thanks to everyone who brings our victory closer!" - emphasized the Prime Minister.