Ukraine's Antonov Adopts Drones Amid Russian Invasion

Ukrainian aerospace firm Antonov is expanding its drone manufacturing capabilities in response to Russia's invasion, according to a presentation by Ukraine's defense group Ukroboronprom. The move aligns with Ukraine's goal of becoming a global drone hub and diversifying its core cargo plane business. Antonov's new drone center aims to enhance unmanned systems manufacturing capabilities and support private unmanned systems manufacturers. The expertise gained from cargo plane manufacturing could also be applied to long-distance drones, potentially enabling Ukraine's armed forces to strike deeper into Russian territory. The restructuring at Ukroboronprom is part of Ukraine's broader plan to invest in the defense sector and develop the post-war economy.