Your article “Ukraine considers lifting export ban on drones” (Report, October 10) highlights far-reaching issues surrounding the manufacture and supply of drones within Ukraine. It clearly shines a light on the failure of the Ukrainian government to support its drone companies through research and development and product development but the key issue of a lack of standardisation, while briefly mentioned, is fundamental to the success of any export plans.
While it is possible for Ukrainian drone companies to raise funds through exporting, this pathway will prove extremely limited if safety and quality standards for the manufacture of drones are not adhered to.
The drone industry has evolved at an exceptional pace, leaving regulators and standards-makers rushing to catch up. However, in recent years, safety and quality standards for the manufacture of drone technology across all domains (land, maritime and air) have been in development. One example of this is the International Standardisation Organisation (ISO) 21384 series of standards for the safety and quality of Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) which were published in 2023.
While Ukraine is not currently a member of the ISO committee responsible for the development of these standards, they can obtain access to these standards and those developed by other standards bodies. The standards can be complex and confusing but, supported by its allies, navigating the options and developing a strategy for the Ukrainian drone industry is achievable.
Perhaps, rather than flooding the Ukrainian market with free European drone systems, reducing the need for in-country procurement, we should be guiding them in the art of defence drone procurement and the importance of standards. Rather than giving a man a fish . . . we should be teaching them to fish for themselves.
Robert Garbett
Chief Executive, Drone Major Group, London W1, UK
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