On May 21–22, 2025, DroneUA, the Ukrainian representative of Futurology, participated in the leading international exhibition for autonomous technologies, XPONENTIAL 2025, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, USA. During the event, DroneUA organized the first official side event of the Ukrainian delegation, titled "Powered by Fleet of Millions: Ukrainian Breakthroughs in Drone Mass Production."
In partnership with PPL Trade and with the support of the Consulate General of Ukraine in Houston and U.S. Commercial Service in Kyiv, Ukraine, the event brought together key players from the drone industry, security sector, and government authorities from both sides of the Atlantic. It opened new channels for collaboration and positioned Ukraine as an active participant in the transformation of the global tech ecosystem. The event served as an institutional platform for presenting Ukrainian solutions and reinforced DroneUA’s leadership position as an integrator of autonomous technologies in the international arena.
The Ukrainian delegation’s event, held on May 21 under the Fleet of Millions initiative, set the tone for the entire Ukrainian presence at the event, shaping the program's focus and ensuring a systematic presentation of the tech ecosystem. DroneUA took the lead in organizing, conceptual development, and partner engagement, ensuring strategic visibility for Ukrainian solutions among the leading players in the global autonomous systems industry.
The delegation included 14 teams from Ukraine, ranging from UAV manufacturers to software and security tech developers:
- DroneUA | Futurology – International integrators of UAV systems, robotics, AI, and clean technologies, delivering innovative solutions in agriculture, energy, and emergency response worldwide.
- Airlogix – Producer of military and civilian UAVs, best known for the modular GOR system.
- Ancovi International LLC – Integrator of defense and AI technologies, developer of unmanned systems and humanitarian demining solutions.
- BlueBird Tech – Defense tech company specializing in counter-drone systems, detection, and UAV management solutions.
- Defense Builder – Accelerator supporting Ukrainian defense startups with business development tools and funding access.
- Deviro – Developer of UAVs and software for reconnaissance, strike drones, civilian mapping, and geodesy since 2014.
- Dolya & Co.LTD – Systems integrator and manufacturer of professional radio communications for ministries and critical infrastructure.
- Encompass – Importer/exporter and distributor of dual-use goods and defense tech.
- Ukrainian Aerospace Cluster – Coordinator of initiatives for integrating Ukraine’s aerospace sector into global value chains and innovation networks.
- Reactive Drones – Developer and producer of unmanned solutions for military and civilian applications (strike, reconnaissance, agriculture), with battlefield experience.
- Sigma Software Group – IT partner delivering software, consulting, and digital solutions for defense and enterprise clients.
- TYKHO Electronics — a developer of specialized electronics, communication modules, and navigation systems for unmanned platforms.
- Warbirds – Manufacturer of tactical and combat drones with ranges up to 2,000 km.
- SkyFall – Leading Ukrainian miltech company and developer of the Vampire (“Baba (“Baba Yaga”) UAV and the widely known FPV drone Shrike.
Today, Ukraine is the world’s largest drone producer, with over 5 million units manufactured annually. This achievement reflects not only scale but also strategic depth: more than 700 companies operate within a fully-formed ecosystem featuring vertically integrated supply chains. These aren’t just drones made in Ukraine — they are Ukrainian drones, built from Ukrainian components, by Ukrainian engineers, at Ukrainian facilities.
“What takes years in other countries, is achieved in weeks — sometimes days — in Ukraine. We operate at the speed dictated by the urgency of our times, and this pace has made Ukrainian drone manufacturing a global phenomenon. We now have a fully formed ecosystem where Ukrainian engineers create world-class products with full localization. We’re not just catching up — we’re setting the pace and direction for the global drone systems market,” — Valerii Iakovenko, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of DroneUA and Futurology.
Within the discussions, special attention was given to localizing production in the U.S., creating sustainable models of international cooperation, and integrating Ukrainian developments into global supply chains.
“Demand for drones is overwhelming. We can produce up to 4,000 units per day — one drone every 22 seconds. We work with partners across the U.S., Europe, and Asia while maintaining full localization of our solutions. The best path forward for Ukraine’s drone industry lies in joint projects: joint R&D, joint manufacturing. We don’t just want to export — we want to integrate, share experience, scale together, and create global solutions,” — shared SkyFall.
The side event was opened by Vitalii Tarasiuk, Consul General of Ukraine in Houston:
“Ukraine has proven that cutting-edge drone production can be localized at scale — even under the pressures of full-scale war. What we’ve built is more than just an industry; it’s a blueprint for rapid innovation, resilient manufacturing, and international partnership that’s ready to integrate into the global tech and security landscape." — said the Consul General.
During the event, a panel discussion titled "Cost-Efficient Innovation: How Ukraine is Redefining Drone Manufacturing at Scale" took place, moderated by Valerii Iakovenko, Co-founder and Managing Partner of DroneUA and Futurology, with speakers:
● Lamar Ellis, President, AUVSI Georgia Chapter and Drone Education Services
● Valerii Zarubin, CEO, BlueBird Tech (Ukraine)
● Volodymyr Voronin, Vice President, Ancovi International LLC
● Leshia Pearson, Director of Aerospace & Defense Industry, Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ACES)
Experts shared their experiences and ideas on scaling innovative UAV solutions, the prospects of localizing production, technological partnerships, and the integration of Ukrainian solutions into the supply chain for security and commercial needs in the U.S.
“We’re actively building new supply chains — in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. This is not just about entering a market, it’s about forging real partnerships. Long-term, we all need to localize key technologies — both in Ukraine and in the countries where we operate. It’s tough, but doable. And absolutely essential,” — said Volodymyr Voronin.
“The state of Georgia is open for business. We support manufacturing, offer incentives, and are a strong industrial hub. Ukrainians bring world-changing technologies — it’s inspiring to see their rapid growth. In just two months, I’ve seen them join new panels, meet senators and congressmen, and expand their presence. I’m grateful for the chance to hear their stories,” — said Lamar Ellis.
“We’re always seeking new investment opportunities — in Oklahoma and across the U.S. Ukrainian innovation stories are truly impressive. To grow from an idea with a four-person team into production of this scale — that’s phenomenal. Everyone can learn from your example. It’s this kind of determination and curiosity that drives innovation. Oklahoma offers a committed team, strong legislative support, a skilled workforce, and affordable energy — creating the foundation for major manufacturing and university partnerships. These are the tools we use to help businesses grow, thrive, and scale,” — said Leshia Pearson.
Oleksandra Afanasieva, event host and producer of the Fleet of Millions initiative, underscored the importance of collaborative engagement in opening new markets. “Fleet of Millions is a founder-led initiative born from the strategic decision of Ukrainian businesses to build in the U.S. It’s not about spotlighting individual success stories — it’s about cultivating an ecosystem through shared investment, localization, and long-term partnership.”
An important step was the participation of the Ukrainian delegation in the Defense Advocacy Committee (DAC) — a closed-door session hosted by AUVSI, held on May 22.
The discussion involved representatives from AUVSI, government institutions, and leading defense-industrial companies from the U.S. From Ukraine, Valerii Iakovenko and Vitalii Tarasiuk participated. The event format included a review of legislative initiatives, decisions, and institutional approaches to the development of the unmanned systems sector.
DroneUA extends its gratitude to all those who made the Ukrainian delegation’s participation in XPONENTIAL 2025 possible — to partners PPL Trade, the Consulate General of Ukraine in Houston, the U.S. Commercial Service in Kyiv, the Ukrainian companies in the delegation, and all the guests and allies who supported the event.
Ukraine’s engagement at XPONENTIAL 2025 elevated the profile of its technology sector, showcasing high innovation potential and a uniquely rapid scaling capacity. The event opened new doors for partnership development, U.S. manufacturing localization, and collaborative autonomous technology initiatives on the global stage.
