There’s a larger story here. It’s been reported that multiple western startups and legacy arms companies have visited Ukraine’s drone manufacturing facilities under the guise that they are providing some industry expertise just for them to gather information and turn around to produce their own drones.
Cabbage-braise on
Did he expect anything else?
taytodd8 on
Ukraine was hoping they could sell this info to other countries. Billion dollar deals that could have benefited Ukraine for decades. Sounds like he’s realizing that information isn’t worth as much when everyone already knows what you’re selling.
AccordingInsect3481 on
Double production with a better product.
[deleted] on
[removed]
bork99 on
Waiting for some entrepreneurial sociopath to patent the design “officially” and then sue Ukraine for royalties…
Fli_fo on
Ukraine is new to all of this and gained a lot of knowledge in a short time.
Unfortunately the war isn’t going that great. So Ukraine is in a difficult position and in some ways desperate.
Otherwise they would better keep their info to themselves.
Aerottawa on
FYI these are the type are drones designed to shoot down Shahed drones. Here is a video of them: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okQlmZJkbBk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okQlmZJkbBk)
My guess is they will be supplied to gulf countries.
Obeetwokenobee on
Context: he’s busy been visiting Saudi and co to offer to help them with drones. He’s obviously just been informed that they can get them cheaper etc.
369_Clive on
It’s not really the drones though; they can be made anywhere – and are. The main volume producers before the Ukraine war was the Chinese. DJI made units etc.
The real knowledge comes from adapting these and knowing combat tactics and techniques. No-one knows *these* better than the Ukrainians.
Howdhell on
In order for capitalism to exist, it requires a side that is exploited. Min wage worker War-torn country, you name it. For one door to open, another needs to be closed.
GirthyGeoduck on
The Ukrainians have the worst possible neighbor on the planet, and the worst possible ally on the planet.
rumoku on
People in the comments seem to be missing some important context and are interpreting the news incorrectly.
What’s actually happening is that the same companies producing drones in Ukraine have expanded internationally, setting up factories abroad and manufacturing similar drones in other countries. The key issue here is that the government has not authorised the export of defence-related drone technology. This is part of an ongoing debate, with valid arguments on both sides. In reality, though, it’s very difficult to fully control or prevent the transfer of know-how.
One of these companies already holds a government contract worth around $300 million, yet that didn’t stop them from selling drones to another country for roughly $3.5 million. There’s also an implied warning that this company may face consequences — potentially even losing its government contract, which could be reassigned elsewhere.
UPD: as others pointing out, there might be cases of stolen intellectual property related to drone development, certainly, but in this article he is not talking about it.
sfigone on
Ukraine should offer to train their operators in a real war zone.
Tinna_Sell on
Said companies sell unfinished, faulty drones. Those who want Ukrainian tech see lower prices, buy the stuff, then discover that what they bought came without a warhead, or has some other thing wrong about it. They called Ukraine and that’s how the scheme was revealed. The companies in question took money from the government to expand production. This what looks like a state-subsidised scam affects the country’s image on the market and future deals.
Hence, the government decided to speak out to warn potential customers and compell them to buy from original manufacturers. Despite this, I saw comments that Zelensky is displeased with these independent companies because he’s a monopolist and wants to control production, which is a crazy accusation to make considering the fact that the country is at war, and its safety depends on this particular innovation.
The situation calls for tightened control. There have been previously moves against Fire Point by competitors that stalled research and development. Specifically, it was rumored that the anti-corrunption agency was bribed to conduct frequent audits that caused the production process to stop entirely. As a result, the company wasn’t able to deliver promised products in time and had to pay a fine. Nothing was found eventually. I imagine the competition in the country is fierce. Not to mention how companies abroad (particularly, in Germany) are now starting to speak ill of Ukrainian manufacturers, sensing the threat to their sales. This is going to be very disruptive.
This doesn’t even cover the problem of military espionage. Many companies want to sell the new technology, but if given the desired free reign, the risk of important info leaking out will be much higher.
MoBio4tW on
Patent your IP.
meaniemeanie-poo-poo on
We are so screwed.
ashriekfromspace on
Must be sad seeing the world forget your war just because there’s a new one
dbxp on
I don’t think the drones themselves will really help the US. Without the operators they’re not much more than regular FPV drones which can be bought off the shelf. This isn’t like a fighter jet where the machine is bringing new capabilities to the table, it’s more like a rifle where one model may be slightly better than another but its really the shooter who makes the shot.
TheEmperorMk3 on
Did I miss some international law being passed recently? You don’t need to ask another country for permission to build drones??
vtccasp3r on
Anduril founder and Trump supporter Palmer Luckey was proud to say they went there for testing.
Mr_Hassel on
Behind his back?
challah505 on
Kushner Enterprises was one I’m sure
ProduceNo1629 on
> built factories behind Ukraine’s back
Oligarchs gonna oligarch.
Hreny2 on
Im sorry I missed the worldwide law that says that only Ukraine can sanction building drone factories,…
26 Comments
Probably a lot more than that.
There’s a larger story here. It’s been reported that multiple western startups and legacy arms companies have visited Ukraine’s drone manufacturing facilities under the guise that they are providing some industry expertise just for them to gather information and turn around to produce their own drones.
Did he expect anything else?
Ukraine was hoping they could sell this info to other countries. Billion dollar deals that could have benefited Ukraine for decades. Sounds like he’s realizing that information isn’t worth as much when everyone already knows what you’re selling.
Double production with a better product.
[removed]
Waiting for some entrepreneurial sociopath to patent the design “officially” and then sue Ukraine for royalties…
Ukraine is new to all of this and gained a lot of knowledge in a short time.
Unfortunately the war isn’t going that great. So Ukraine is in a difficult position and in some ways desperate.
Otherwise they would better keep their info to themselves.
FYI these are the type are drones designed to shoot down Shahed drones. Here is a video of them: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okQlmZJkbBk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okQlmZJkbBk)
My guess is they will be supplied to gulf countries.
Context: he’s busy been visiting Saudi and co to offer to help them with drones. He’s obviously just been informed that they can get them cheaper etc.
It’s not really the drones though; they can be made anywhere – and are. The main volume producers before the Ukraine war was the Chinese. DJI made units etc.
The real knowledge comes from adapting these and knowing combat tactics and techniques. No-one knows *these* better than the Ukrainians.
In order for capitalism to exist, it requires a side that is exploited. Min wage worker War-torn country, you name it. For one door to open, another needs to be closed.
The Ukrainians have the worst possible neighbor on the planet, and the worst possible ally on the planet.
People in the comments seem to be missing some important context and are interpreting the news incorrectly.
What’s actually happening is that the same companies producing drones in Ukraine have expanded internationally, setting up factories abroad and manufacturing similar drones in other countries. The key issue here is that the government has not authorised the export of defence-related drone technology. This is part of an ongoing debate, with valid arguments on both sides. In reality, though, it’s very difficult to fully control or prevent the transfer of know-how.
One of these companies already holds a government contract worth around $300 million, yet that didn’t stop them from selling drones to another country for roughly $3.5 million. There’s also an implied warning that this company may face consequences — potentially even losing its government contract, which could be reassigned elsewhere.
UPD: as others pointing out, there might be cases of stolen intellectual property related to drone development, certainly, but in this article he is not talking about it.
Ukraine should offer to train their operators in a real war zone.
Said companies sell unfinished, faulty drones. Those who want Ukrainian tech see lower prices, buy the stuff, then discover that what they bought came without a warhead, or has some other thing wrong about it. They called Ukraine and that’s how the scheme was revealed. The companies in question took money from the government to expand production. This what looks like a state-subsidised scam affects the country’s image on the market and future deals.
Hence, the government decided to speak out to warn potential customers and compell them to buy from original manufacturers. Despite this, I saw comments that Zelensky is displeased with these independent companies because he’s a monopolist and wants to control production, which is a crazy accusation to make considering the fact that the country is at war, and its safety depends on this particular innovation.
The situation calls for tightened control. There have been previously moves against Fire Point by competitors that stalled research and development. Specifically, it was rumored that the anti-corrunption agency was bribed to conduct frequent audits that caused the production process to stop entirely. As a result, the company wasn’t able to deliver promised products in time and had to pay a fine. Nothing was found eventually. I imagine the competition in the country is fierce. Not to mention how companies abroad (particularly, in Germany) are now starting to speak ill of Ukrainian manufacturers, sensing the threat to their sales. This is going to be very disruptive.
This doesn’t even cover the problem of military espionage. Many companies want to sell the new technology, but if given the desired free reign, the risk of important info leaking out will be much higher.
Patent your IP.
We are so screwed.
Must be sad seeing the world forget your war just because there’s a new one
I don’t think the drones themselves will really help the US. Without the operators they’re not much more than regular FPV drones which can be bought off the shelf. This isn’t like a fighter jet where the machine is bringing new capabilities to the table, it’s more like a rifle where one model may be slightly better than another but its really the shooter who makes the shot.
Did I miss some international law being passed recently? You don’t need to ask another country for permission to build drones??
Anduril founder and Trump supporter Palmer Luckey was proud to say they went there for testing.
Behind his back?
Kushner Enterprises was one I’m sure
> built factories behind Ukraine’s back
Oligarchs gonna oligarch.
Im sorry I missed the worldwide law that says that only Ukraine can sanction building drone factories,…