.svg)
Kyiv, Ukraine – In a decisive move to enhance Ukraine's technological sovereignty and battlefield resilience, the tax committee of the Verkhovna Rada has endorsed new legislation aimed at stimulating the domestic production of fibre-optic Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This initiative represents a critical step in overcoming the challenges of electronic warfare and solidifying Ukraine's status as a leader in defence innovation.
The committee has unanimously recommended the adoption of two pivotal bills, which are expected to be considered by Parliament next week, according to MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak. The proposed legislation seeks to create significant tax and customs benefits for manufacturers.
The core of the legislative package includes:
- Bill No. 13306, which proposes to classify fibre-optic cables and harnesses as defence-related goods.
- Bill No. 13305, which calls for a value-added tax (VAT) exemption and customs relief on components essential for the assembly of drones.
By integrating these components into the national defence procurement framework and alleviating the tax burden, the bills are designed to lower the overall production costs for unmanned systems. This will, in turn, reduce the state's expenditure on acquiring this crucial technology. While the potential loss to the state budget from these exemptions is estimated at approximately UAH 30 million, the long-term strategic and economic benefits are projected to be substantial.
The Strategic Advantage of Fibre-Optic Technology
The push to scale the production of fibre-optic drones is a direct and innovative response to the pervasive threat of electronic warfare (EW) on the battlefield. Unlike conventional UAVs that rely on radio frequency (RF) signals for control and data transmission, fibre-optic drones are physically connected to their operator by a thin cable that spools out during flight.
This physical tether makes the drones immune to jamming and other forms of electronic interference, which are responsible for the loss of a significant number of RF-controlled drones. This immunity allows Ukrainian forces to conduct reconnaissance and precision strikes in heavily contested environments where other systems would fail. Furthermore, the high bandwidth of the fibre-optic cable enables a stable, high-resolution video stream, providing operators with superior situational awareness.
A New Generation of Ukrainian-Made UAVs
This legislative support directly empowers Ukrainian manufacturers who are already at the forefront of this technology. Last week, the Ministry of Defence officially codified the first domestically produced line of fibre-optic UAVs: the “Predator REBOFF”. Developed by the Ukrainian company 3DTech, the series includes multiple models with cable spools ranging from 10 to 20 kilometers, designed for a variety of missions including repelling assaults, engaging in urban combat, and destroying enemy artillery and EW systems. The codification of the Predator line is a testament to the rapid adaptation and innovation of Ukraine's defence industry, moving from concept to deployed hardware in a remarkably short timeframe.
The new laws are set to accelerate the growth of a robust domestic ecosystem for such advanced systems. By reducing costs and removing logistical barriers, Ukraine is not just fielding new technology but is building a sustainable, resilient, and forward-looking defence industrial base capable of meeting the nation's security needs.
