Petraeus: Ukraine produces more drones than anywhere in the world
David Petraeus (Photo: Kyiv Security Forum)
Retired U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, who also served as
CIA Director in 2011–2012, praised Ukraine’s drone
industry during a Kyiv Security Forum discussion on April 3.
Speaking at a KSF panel titled Ukraine’s Unbreakable Generation, Petraeus said he had visited one of Ukraine’s largest drone factories.
“This year that plant alone made 3 million drones, out of 7 million that can be produced in Ukraine. That’s more than anywhere in the world. The United States struggles to produce 400,000 drones,” he said.
Petraeus acknowledged that the war in the Middle East has shifted global priorities but said Ukraine’s accomplishments are extraordinary and deserve continued support and respect from countries that back the values Ukrainians are defending.
The Kyiv Security Forum is organized by Open Ukraine, a foundation started in 2007 by former PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
In Feb. 2025, then-Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said Ukraine had become the world’s largest drone maker, asserting that 96% of drones used were bought or produced in Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, 90% of recorded
Russian combat losses in 2025 were attributed to drone strikes.
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