© ROOT-NATION.com - Use of content is permitted with a backlink.
Recently, Ukraine held its first official side event at XPONENTIAL, a leading U.S. trade show focused on unmanned systems and robotics. The event showcased the country’s dual-use innovation ecosystem and was attended by policymakers, industry leaders, and defense sector representatives from both sides of the Atlantic. It was organized by DroneUA in partnership with PPL Trade, with support from the Consulate General of Ukraine in Houston and the U.S. Commercial Service in Kyiv.
The event highlighted the unprecedented pace of innovation in Ukraine’s drone industry and marked a new step toward integrating Ukrainian technologies into global supply chains. It also created opportunities for building new partnerships, exploring the potential for localized production in the U.S., and launching joint initiatives.
The Ukrainian delegation included 14 teams, representing both drone manufacturers and developers of software and security technologies. Among them were:
- DroneUA | Futurology – International integrators of unmanned aerial systems, robotics, AI, and clean technologies. Their solutions are applied in agriculture, energy, and emergency response sectors.
- Airlogix – A manufacturer of military and civilian drones, known for its modular GOR system.
- Ancovi International LLC – A defense technology and AI solutions integrator, focused on unmanned systems and tools for humanitarian demining.
- BlueBird Tech – a company specialising in anti-drone systems, detectors and drone management solutions
- Defence Builder – an accelerator that supports Ukrainian defence start-ups
- Deviro – developer of UAVs and software for reconnaissance, attack drones, civilian mapping and geodesy
- Dolya & Co.LTD – integrator and manufacturer of professional radio communications for ministries and critical infrastructure
- Encompass is an importer, exporter and distributor of dual-use products and defence technologies
- Ukrainian Aerospace Cluster – coordinator of initiatives to integrate Ukraine’s aerospace sector into global value chains and innovative cooperation
- Reactive Drones – developer and manufacturer of unmanned solutions for military and civilian tasks with experience in combat use
- Sigma Software Group – IT partner providing software, consulting and digital solutions for the defence sector and corporate clients
- TYKHO Electronics – A developer of electronics, communication modules, and navigation systems for unmanned platforms.
- Warbirds – A manufacturer of tactical and combat drones with operational ranges of up to 2,000 km.
- SkyFall – The company behind the Vampire (“Baba Yaga”) UAV and the Shrike FPV drone.
Ukraine is currently the world’s largest producer of drones, manufacturing around 5 million units annually. These are domestically developed systems – built with Ukrainian components, by Ukrainian engineers, and assembled at local production facilities. More than 700 companies operate within a structured ecosystem that includes vertically integrated supply chains.
“What takes years in other countries is being achieved here in a matter of weeks – or even days,” says Valerii Yakovenko, co-founder and managing partner of DroneUA and Futurology. “We operate at a pace shaped by today’s urgent challenges, and that pace has turned Ukraine’s drone industry into a global phenomenon. What we have now is a fully developed ecosystem where Ukrainian engineers are building world-class products with complete local production.”
The event included discussions on localizing production in the United States, exploring models of international collaboration, and integrating Ukrainian technologies into the global market. It also set the stage for Ukraine’s future presence at XPONENTIAL 2025. DroneUA played a key role in shaping the agenda, engaging partners, and establishing a strategic platform to position Ukrainian solutions within the international autonomous systems ecosystem.
“Ukraine has proven that large-scale, high-tech drone manufacturing can be localized – even in the midst of full-scale war,” said Vitalii Tarasiuk, Consul General of Ukraine in Houston. “What we’ve built is more than just an industry; it’s a model for rapid innovation, resilient production, and international partnership – ready for integration into the global technology and security ecosystem.”
The event’s agenda featured a panel discussion titled “Cost-Efficient Innovation: How Ukraine is Redefining Drone Manufacturing at Scale.” Speakers shared insights on scaling drone technologies, localizing production, building technology partnerships, and integrating Ukrainian solutions into U.S. security systems and commercial supply chains.
Ukraine also participated in a closed session of the Defense Advocacy Committee (DAC). This meeting focused on legislative initiatives and institutional strategies for advancing drone systems, held in collaboration with U.S. government representatives and leaders from the defense industry.
Read also:
- Ukraine Deploys AI-Controlled ‘Mothership’ Drone for the First Time
- Ukraine develops Sky Sentinel AI turret to protect against drones and cruise missiles