Rheinmetall CEO says Ukrainian drones lack innovation despite battlefield role

Responding to a question from journalist Simon Shuster about the battlefield effectiveness of Ukrainian drones — widely used to destroy armored vehicles — Papperger downplayed their technological significance.

“It’s like playing with Lego. What kind of innovation is that? There’s no technological breakthrough,” he said. “They create innovations with small drones and say, ‘Wow!’ — and that’s great. But it’s not Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, or Rheinmetall technology.”

When asked how Ukraine’s rapidly expanding drone production could affect Rheinmetall’s business model, Papperger questioned the scale and sophistication of Ukrainian manufacturers.

“Who are the biggest drone producers in Ukraine?” he asked. After Shuster cited companies such as Fire Point and Skyfall, Papperger responded: “These are Ukrainian housewives. They have 3D printers in their kitchens and make drone parts. That’s not innovation.”

Papperger also said Ukraine is unlikely to export its drones to NATO countries, arguing that Western regulatory requirements and licensing barriers would prevent such sales.

Ukrainian officials have emphasized the central role of drones in the country’s defense. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said more than 80% of enemy targets on the battlefield are destroyed using drones, most of them domestically produced.

Ukraine has developed a range of drone systems beyond small UAVs, including heavy bomber drones such as the Vampire, naval drones that have inflicted significant losses on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, and interceptor drones designed to counter incoming Russian UAVs.

Ukraine’s experience in drone warfare has drawn growing international attention, particularly amid broader conflicts involving Iranian-made drones. Zelenskyy said 11 countries, including the United States, European nations, and Gulf states, have approached Ukraine for assistance in countering such threats.

As part of that cooperation, more than 200 Ukrainian specialists have been deployed to Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.