Latvian defense tech is already working for Ukraine’s front. Startup Ardlat, financed by the private fund Ardelta, is producing FPV drones with fiber-optic control and sending almost the entire output to Ukraine. At the same time, inside Ukraine at least two companies have learned to make a full cycle of engines for long-range UAVs — from casting parts to final assembly. Together, this strengthens Ukraine’s autonomy in drone warfare.
What’s special about Ardlat drones
Ardlat doesn’t just assemble FPVs — it makes its own coils with fiber-optic cable and matching communication modules. The company offers coils from 5 to 45 km, which means:
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the operator keeps stable control over long distances,
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the drone is much more resistant to Russian electronic warfare,
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the signal doesn’t “fall off” the way classic radio FPVs do.
According to the company, almost 1,000 such drones have already been sent (or are being sent) to Ukraine for reconnaissance and strike missions. For the Armed Forces, this is a useful niche product: fiber-optic FPVs are harder to jam and can be used for special tasks.
Ukraine localizes UAV engines
At the same time, Ukraine is closing its own bottleneck — engines. Member of the Ukrainian Council of Armaments Ihor Fedirko says that at least two Ukrainian companies are already doing a full production cycle of power plants for long-range drones:
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injection molding of parts,
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machining,
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assembly,
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adaptation to specific UAV models.
This is important because imported engines are not always available, and not always suitable for Ukrainian designs. Local production makes it possible to quickly tweak engines for weight, altitude or range. Fedirko notes that current capacities still don’t fully cover the military’s needs — but the ecosystem is already there.
Ukrainian UAV business goes global
In parallel, Ukrainian companies are entering Western markets. DroneUA has opened an office in London (Knightsbridge) — the company positions this as part of the globalization of Ukrainian UAV and robotics expertise. For Ukraine’s drone sector, this means:
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access to partners and investors,
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faster tech transfer,
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and recognition that Ukrainian engineers are now a real player in defense tech.
Why it matters
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Latvia gives Ukraine ready, EW-resistant drones.
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Ukraine, in turn, builds up its own critical components — engines.
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Ukrainian companies expand to the UK, which increases trust in the entire sector.
That’s exactly the model Western partners have been talking about: Ukraine as a co-producer, not just a recipient of aid.
