The project cost the company $3.5 million.
Key Highlights:
Project Launch:
- Skyeton, a Ukrainian company specializing in drone production, has set up facilities in Slovakia to manufacture Raybird reconnaissance drones.
- The project’s launch in Slovakia required an investment of $3.5 million.
Raybird Reconnaissance Drones:
- Raybird drones have been in use by Ukrainian security forces since 2018.
- Capabilities:
- Flight Duration: Approximately 28 hours.
- Range: 2.5 thousand km.
- Altitude: Up to 4.5 km.
- Components:
- Each complex includes three aircraft, a mobile ground control station, antennas, a launcher, cameras, radars, and other equipment.
- Cost: The cost of one Raybird drone complex is about $1.2 million.
Current Usage and Demand:
- Since the full-scale war started in February 2022, the Ukrainian army has ordered more than 75 Raybird reconnaissance systems.
- The General Staff of the Armed Forces estimates a need for at least 140 Raybird drones per year.
Production Strategy:
- Production will continue in Ukraine, with the Slovakian plant serving as a backup to mitigate risks from potential missile attacks on Ukrainian facilities.
Conclusion
Skyeton's establishment of drone production in Slovakia underscores a strategic move to ensure the uninterrupted supply of critical reconnaissance drones to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This expansion enhances the company's resilience and supports Ukraine's defense needs amidst ongoing conflict.