UkrOboronProm of Ukraine launches production of Spectator-M1 drone

The war triggered by Russia in Ukraine has generated a big surge in the role played by fixed-wing and quadcopter drones of all sizes, ranging from small privately-owned machines (almost toys) up to large-size and powerful ones. This move has led to the creation of start-ups producing drones in various quantities. UkrOboronProm launches a type of its own, called Spectator-M1. On March 16, Army Recognition interviewed Oleh Boldyryev, Project Manager at UkrOboronProm, about the origin of this drone.
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UkrOboronProm launches a type of its own, called Spectator-M1 (Picture source: UkrOboronProm)

‘’Designing and producing drones is not actually a business but a matter of survival !’’, Oleh Boldyryev told Army Recognition. Today, about 200 models of drones are at various development or production stages. Up to 100 teams are developing and accelerating drone projects. Hundreds of startups are also on the market and the number is growing. The Ministry of Strategic Industries headed by Kamyshyn now will lead boosting manufacturing as a government structure. UkrOboronProm does not accept disclosing its Spectator-M1’s features to avoid facilitating anti-drone plans by the Russians. They will have to discover them on the battlefield…

Up to 100 teams are developing and accelerating drone projects. Hundreds of startups are also on the market and the number is growing. The Ministry of Strategic Industries headed by Kamyshyn now will lead boosting manufacturing as a government structure.

Besides that needed secret, Oleh Boldyryev warns about fake news and other misleading information spread by news agencies, individuals or companies who like making the buzz on social networks. Better listen to official information from UkrOboronProm. This being said, Oleh Boldyryev refused to make any comment on a rumor spread about a Ukrainian drone having a 1,000km range with a 75kg payload.

Production of drones, be it in series or (very) small series, uses both off-the-shelf and specifically-designed components found locally or supplied by foreign manufacturers. Ingeniosity is a key factor in getting successful models, namely as resources are limited or sometimes difficult to afford. ‘’Because of the war, some government certification procedures are simplified and sped up’’, Oleh Boldyryev said. ‘’The test flights are limited due to no-fly zones and raid alerts’’.

‘’The Ukrainian armed forces currently use 11 different ‘official’ electronic jamming systems, plus 9 or 10 unofficial ones’’, Oleh Boldyryev said. ‘’Jamming and counter-jamming are big issues for both sides in this war".

Spectator-M1 (Picture source: UkrOboronProm) 

Oleh Boldyryev, Project Manager at UkrOboronProm (Picture source: UkrOboronProm)

Screenshot of Oleh Boldyryev's interview by Army Recognition on March 16, 2023.

Defense News April 2023