From localization to counter-drone: the final day of the Ukrainian Pavilion at Commercial UAV Expo 2025.

The final day of Commercial UAV Expo 2025 in Las Vegas marked the culmination of the packed program at the world’s largest event in unmanned technologies. The Ukrainian Pavilion, formed by the country’s leading tech companies, showcased the mature architecture of the national drone ecosystem — with its own manufacturing, service models, digital analytics, and counter-drone technologies. Speed of implementation, cross-sector integration, and scalability proven under real-world challenges have made Ukraine a benchmark for the global market and set the trajectory for the future development of the UAV economy.

The final highlight of the event was the panel discussion “Lessons from Ukraine Define the Future of Commercial Drone and Counter-Drone Innovations.” Participants presented a comprehensive vision of how Ukraine’s experience in mass production and multi-sector deployment of UAVs is shaping new standards for the global market — from flexible regulation and certification to the development of detection and counter-drone systems. Numerous case studies demonstrated that drones are a universal tool for both commercial and security tasks, while at the same time a challenge that requires building a comprehensive infrastructure for control and protection.

Representatives of government institutions and businesses whose expertise is shaping the future development of the industry took part in the discussion. Thanks to this combination of perspectives, the panel became a platform where practice complemented strategic vision, and the Ukrainian experience emerged as a holistic model for the future of drone technologies. The speakers included:

●      Dmytro Kushneruk, Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco;

●      Dmytro Shymkiv, Investor, AeroDrone;

●    Fevzi Ametov, Deputy Head of the Division of organization and application of UAVs. Aviation Security Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;

●      Maksym Prasolov, CGO of Bavovna.

During the panel discussion, participants carried out a comprehensive analysis of the formation and growth of the Ukrainian drone ecosystem, which over the past decade has evolved into one of the most advanced in the world. Experts addressed topics including technology production and localization, the development of service models, digital analytics, the creation of counter-drone systems, and the establishment of educational programs for operators and pilots.

“One of the interesting lessons from Ukraine is pilot training. We have schools that teach even children as young as 14 to fly drones, with simulators and training programs. Our pilots are not just operators — they are also engineers who can solder, program, and repair. It’s a 3-in-1 skill set.” — noted Fevzi Ametov.

“The speed of approvals and access in Ukraine has skyrocketed. Certification takes weeks, access to airfields for testing — just days. I know several American and UK companies that came to Ukraine because it’s simply faster here. Ukraine’s success is in accessibility. Drones need to fly. They can’t be tested on the ground — they need to be in the air.” — shared Dmytro Shymkiv.

Particular attention was given to the challenges that arise alongside the exponential growth of the industry. Thousands of drones in the field or in urban environments bring not only new opportunities but also issues related to regulation, certification, and safety. The Ukrainian experience proves that effective scaling is impossible without building management systems and implementing comprehensive counter-drone technologies. This balance between innovation and control is increasingly seen as a model capable of defining the future of unmanned technologies.

“Drones open up vast opportunities, but at the same time bring new challenges that can and should be addressed. That is why initiatives such as drone identification and pilot registration are the first practical steps toward regulating the industry.” — emphasized Fevzi Ametov

Experts also focused on the technological challenges shaping the industry’s future development. Among the key issues is navigation in environments where GPS signals are absent or compromised — a problem Ukrainian developers face daily. This challenge has driven the emergence of alternative positioning systems capable of ensuring flight stability in complex environments and scaling not only for UAVs but also for a wider range of robotics. Examples of such solutions demonstrate how practical challenges in Ukraine are accelerating global innovation, creating technologies that extend far beyond security applications.

“We know better than anyone in the world how drones fly without GPS, because we have vast experience and true golden mountains of data from Ukraine.” — emphasized Maksym Prasolov.

Today, Ukrainian companies are not only manufacturing equipment but also actively seeking optimal models of cooperation with international partners. This includes production localization, joint R&D projects, and the creation of new service formats. An openness to integration enables the Ukrainian ecosystem not just to export technologies, but to become part of global value chains.

“There is a so-called ‘drone deal’ now being finalized between Ukraine and the United States. The U.S. will purchase thousands, possibly millions of drones from Ukraine, while Ukraine will gain access to technologies it currently lacks. This will mark a milestone in strengthening ties between the two countries and in modernizing the drone industry here.” — noted Dmytro Kushneruk.

Presented this year in an even broader format, the consolidated pavilion became not only a focal point for investors, integrators, and peers from other countries, but also a platform where the foundations of new global cooperation are being laid.

Fleet of Millions extends its gratitude to everyone who stood alongside the Ukrainian Pavilion over these three days — discussion participants, booth visitors, friends, and partners. Special thanks go to the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco, Diia.City United, the Lviv City Council, and the IRON Cluster for their support in advancing the shared Ukrainian mission: developing and positioning Ukraine as a global leader in the unmanned industry.