U.S. Drone Innovator Skydio Begins Ukrainian Expansion with Focus on Engineering and Support

Washington, D.C: U.S. drone maker Skydio has taken a significant step towards expanding its business in Ukraine by beginning to hire local employees. This move marks the company's initial foray into establishing a presence in the war-torn nation, with the first hires focusing on engineering and customer support roles. Skydio's CEO, Adam Bry, shared this development in an interview with Defense News on Wednesday, just hours before he testified before Congress.  

“I’ve never met drone users as sophisticated as the folks in Ukraine,” Bry remarked. “We want a team there.” Currently, the number of hires is in the single digits, but the growth potential is substantial. Bry indicated that while manufacturing drones in Ukraine might be a future goal, starting with smaller components, such as equipment that helps prevent jamming, is more realistic.  

Ukraine: A Testing Ground for Modern Warfare  

The conflict in Ukraine has become the first war to see the widespread use of small, commercial-style drones. Over the past two years, the country has served as a testing ground for global companies eager to see how their equipment performs in high-stakes, electronic warfare environments. U.S. firms, including AeroVironment and Shield AI, have sent their products to support Ukraine’s defence efforts and gain valuable performance data.

Despite the influx of U.S. technology, most drones used in Ukraine have been manufactured in China, which dominates the global drone market. However, Bry emphasized that Ukraine's unique needs are now driving Skydio's product development, even when those needs do not align with U.S. government contracts.  

Defense Contracts and Strategic Shifts  

Skydio's primary defence contract is with the U.S. Army's Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) program, a contract it secured in 2021. As defence firms compete for the program's second iteration, to be decided in 2025, Skydio is promoting its new X10D drone. Ukraine's Ministry of Interior has formally requested "thousands" of these drones, in addition to the thousand Skydio has already sent since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.

While the Army's requirements for the SRR program are similar to Ukraine's needs, they are not identical. The primary difference lies in resiliency; Ukraine requires drones capable of countering intense Russian jamming, a capability not previously prioritized in the SRR program. Bry noted, “This has been a shift in strategy for us. Where there’s discrepancy, we’re prioritizing what we’re seeing in Ukraine.”  

Bry posits that Ukraine serves as the "proving ground" for small drones, arguing that if Skydio's drones can survive and perform in Ukraine, it serves as a compelling sales pitch for the U.S. military. However, he acknowledged the business risks involved, stating, “It’s a risk from a business standpoint, but I think it’s a risk worth taking.”