Ukraine Plans Collaboration with Manila on Drone Production

Jeoffrey Maitem - : Oct 13, 2025 - : 2:17 pm

Ukraine is planning to collaborate with Manila on the possible co-production of drones — a move experts say would benefit the country by providing exposure to combat-tested technology and experience in countering Russia’s gray-zone tactics, while emphasizing affordability. Visiting Ukrainian...

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Visiting Ukrainian lawmaker Lesia Vasylenko recently highlighted Kyiv’s status as one of the world’s most militarily advanced nations, citing its expertise and progress in weapons technology, particularly in military drone production.

“On drones, it’s about how you use them, how you launch them, where you launch them and how you counter the technology that your enemy or opponent has to block your attacks—that’s what matters,” she said at the forum organized by Stratbase-ADR Institute, a Philippine-based independent strategic research organisation.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv revealed Ukraine is looking to forge a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation with the Philippines— a deal she hopes would pave the way for possible talks on joint co-production.

Experts said the strategic advantage the Philippines could gain from Ukraine lies in its real combat experience against Russia’s gray-zone tactics and its development of combat-tested, affordable drones — highlighting innovation and asymmetric warfare strategies.

Chester Cabalza, founder and president of the Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said drone co-production deal with Ukraine could focus on developing systems suited to Southeast Asia’s climate, featuring heat-resistant batteries, corrosion-resistant casings, and humidity-tolerant sensors.

Earlier this year, the Philippine and US forces tested high-powered microwave weapons during the Balikatan 2025 exercises, designed to neutralise so-called drone swarms.

The Philippine military has also begun using Israeli-made intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) drones in field operations and unmanned surface vessels in the South China Sea.

According to the Philippine Army, drones equipped with explosives or used for surveillance—similar to those deployed in the war in Ukraine—have become a key focus of Manila’s joint military exercises with foreign partners, particularly the United States.

Ukraine / Philippines / Drones /

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