Ukrainian drones remain dependent on Chinese components
Local production is growing, but manufacturers say a complete switch to Western components would be very expensive.
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Ukraine has built a large drone industry during the war, but remains dependent on China for key components. That is according to a report by Associated Press, in which manufacturers warn of problems if Beijing further restricts exports.
The dependence is not limited to complete drones, but mainly concerns components such as engines, magnets, chips, thermal cameras, battery cells and flight controllers. Chinese suppliers can provide these products on a large scale and at lower prices than many alternative producers.
According to Ukrainian customs data, almost 90 per cent of directly imported drone components came from China at the beginning of 2024. In the first eight months of 2026, that share had fallen to 28 per cent. That figure should be treated with caution: components imported via Poland or the Czech Republic may still have been produced in China.
The fall does point to an attempt to broaden the supply chain. Ukraine is importing more from Taiwan, Europe and the United States and is trying to produce components itself. Ukrainian manufacturer Vyriy says that 70 to 80 per cent of its components are now made domestically, whereas that share was much lower a few years ago.
According to Oleksandr Yakovenko of defence company TAF Industries, a complete switch could increase costs by about 60 per cent and reduce production by a similar percentage. That is a manufacturer's estimate, not an independent calculation for the sector as a whole.
The Ukrainian government also stresses that the finished products are increasingly being made locally. The Ministry of Defence reported that 95 per cent of the drones and other unmanned systems received by the army in the first months of 2026 had been produced in Ukraine. Domestic assembly does not, however, automatically mean that all chips, sensors or raw materials come from Ukraine.
The vulnerability also has a geopolitical dimension. China is an important supplier to Ukraine, but maintains close ties with Russia. Ukrainian companies fear that Chinese factories may give priority to Russian defence companies or that access to certain components may be further restricted. No Chinese announcement of a complete halt has been reported.
The issue is also relevant to Western armed forces. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday that the United States is learning a great deal from Ukraine about drone warfare, but cannot directly adopt all Ukrainian systems as long as they contain many Chinese components. The development shows that technological self-reliance is not only about design, but also about raw materials and suppliers.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Ukraine produces many drones locally.
- Important components still come from China or via other countries.
- Direct imports from China have declined, according to Ukrainian customs data, but indirect dependence remains difficult to measure.
Left
Arguments The emphasis is on strategic autonomy and public investment in a European production chain. Ukraine and Europe should become less dependent on an authoritarian great power, even if local production is more expensive in the short term.
Values European self-reliance, public control and supply-chain security.
Consequences More production in Ukraine and Europe could increase resilience in the long term, but would require subsidies and could raise defence costs.
Centre
Arguments The best approach combines diversification with pragmatic procurement. In wartime, it is unwise to suddenly exclude cheap and available components without alternatives that deliver the same quantities and quality.
Values Operational reliability, affordability and risk management.
Consequences A gradual transition reduces the risk of production losses, but temporarily leaves a strategic dependence in place.
Right
Arguments Defence should above all remain fast and effective. If Chinese components make production cheaper and larger in scale, this perspective holds that complete exclusion is sensible only when concrete security risks demonstrably outweigh the military benefits.
Values National security, military capability and the efficient use of taxpayers' money.
Consequences Pragmatic procurement can support the war effort, but leaves Ukraine vulnerable to political pressure from Beijing.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The current dependence on Chinese drone components and the percentages cited were checked against AP and Ukrainian government information. Manufacturer estimates concerning costs and production losses are clearly presented as estimates.
- confirmed Ukrainian drone manufacturers are dependent on China for important components. — Described in AP's current report and supplemented by European Interest. source
- confirmed Almost 90 per cent of directly imported components came from China at the beginning of 2024, and 28 per cent in the first eight months of 2026. — AP refers to Ukrainian customs data. source
- confirmed A complete switch to Western components could affect costs and production by about 60 per cent, according to TAF Industries. — This is presented as an estimate by a company representative. source
- confirmed Vyriy now makes 70 to 80 per cent of its components in Ukraine. — AP quotes Vyriy's founder. source
- confirmed According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, 95 per cent of the drones delivered in the first months of 2026 were produced in Ukraine. — Official publication by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence. source
- confirmed Pete Hegseth said that the US is learning a great deal from Ukrainian drone warfare but cannot directly adopt all systems because of Chinese components. — AP described his remarks during a US army conference. source
Editor's note
The figures on components, local production and costs are attributed to customs data, Ukrainian government information and manufacturers. The extent of indirect Chinese imports and a possible Chinese export ban remain uncertain.Sources
- The not-so-secret vulnerability in Ukraine’s drone arsenal? Chinese technology — Associated Press
- 95% of drones procured for the Defence Forces are Ukrainian-made — Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
- Ukraine’s drone industry at risk over China’s dependence — European Interest
More on this in Dutch media
- De Telegraaf — „oekraïne china”
- de Volkskrant — „oekraïne china”
- NOS — „oekraïne china”