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From florist to drone maker: Ukraine's wartime shift
Kyiv's Kseniia Kalmus once crafted floral arrangements for European exhibitions. Now, her workshop hums with the assembly of first-person-view (FPV) drones-small, bomb-equipped quadcopters deployed against Russian forces. The transformation mirrors Ukraine's broader pivot: a nation where civilians turned drone producers now supply the front lines, reshaping a conflict dubbed the world's first full-scale "drone war."
"It was an obvious decision," Kalmus told the BBC from the capital. After Russia's 2022 invasion, her fundraising efforts shifted from medical supplies and uniforms to drones as soldier requests evolved. Today, her volunteer team manufactures hundreds monthly-repurposed consumer models now weaponized with explosives. "We fight for our country, our existence, our culture," she said, acknowledging the stark contrast to her past life.
Drones dominate the battlefield
Ukraine's drone industry has exploded from a handful of pre-war firms to hundreds today. Officials estimate 75% of Russian battlefield losses stem from drone strikes-not artillery or bullets. The shift extends globally, with conflicts in Myanmar, Sudan, and the Middle East adopting similar tactics.
"Drones are the go-to weapon," said Stacie Pettyjohn, defense program director at the Center for a New American Security. "Ukraine's mom-and-pop shops-assembling drones in garages and apartments-demonstrate how accessible this technology has become." European nations now scramble to build "drone walls" for defense, while states seek affordable air power alternatives.
"This has been the first full-blown drone war. Legacy systems like tanks still matter, but drones represent a major, irreversible innovation."
Stacie Pettyjohn, defense analyst
Industry surge: From startups to defense giants
Global defense contractors and startups alike are capitalizing on the demand. US-based AeroVironment saw its stock price quadruple since 2022, while Portugal's Tekever achieved unicorn status this year (valued at over $1 billion). Germany's Stark is expanding, with a new UK factory set to open in Swindon by late November. The UK government has earmarked £4.5 billion for military drones.
"The sector is growing exponentially," said Mike Armstrong, Stark's UK managing director. "Drones are the future of warfare-cheaper, adaptable, and increasingly autonomous."
Counter-drone arms race
As drone use proliferates, so does the market for countermeasures. DroneShield, an Australian firm, saw its shares surge 15-fold since 2022. Its portable systems-deployed by Ukraine, Colombia, and Mexico-detect and neutralize threats, from battlefield drones to cartel-operated devices.
"Governments are urgent to protect critical infrastructure," said CEO Oleg Vornik, citing Belgium's recent scramble to secure Brussels Airport after drone sightings forced closures. Meanwhile, startups like Norway's Munin Dynamics develop soldier-portable jammers, aiming to "democratize drone defense" for frontline troops.
AI: The next frontier
Experts predict artificial intelligence will drive the next leap. Current drones require human operators, limiting range and exposing pilots to risk. "The shift will be dramatic," Pettyjohn said. "First, one operator controlling swarms; then, fully autonomous drones collaborating mid-mission."
For Kalmus, the immediate focus remains survival. "I miss flowers, my old life," she admitted. "But this is about existence. We've all changed-dancers, artists, now drone makers-to defend what's ours."
Global ripple effects
Beyond Ukraine, drones reshape conflicts and security:
- Middle East & Asia: Militias and states deploy drones for surveillance and strikes.
- Latin America: Cartels use drones to evade law enforcement; governments counter with jamming tech.
- Europe: Nations invest in "drone walls" to shield borders and infrastructure.
The war's drone innovation, born of necessity, now fuels a permanent shift in global defense strategies.
