Forbes Explores the Benefits of Ukrainian-Made Alternatives to DJI Mavic Drones

Ukraine has started deploying its own tactical drones that rival the Chinese DJI Mavic in performance.

According to Forbes, citing Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, the first 1,000 of these drones have already been delivered to the front lines and are now being actively used by Ukrainian troops.

Drones like the Mavic have become an indispensable tool for the Armed Forces of Ukraine: they provide reconnaissance, adjust artillery fire, monitor enemy movements, and enhance infantry awareness on the battlefield.

Over time, the name Mavic has become a generic term for small reconnaissance drones.

Meanwhile, DJI has halted sales of its products to Ukraine, stating that its equipment is “not intended for warfare.”

As a result, drones from this brand must be purchased through intermediaries.

The use of DJI drones also comes with security risks: the Pentagon has banned their use due to data being transmitted back to the manufacturer.

In addition, newer models feature “geoblocking,” which prevents them from flying in several regions – including Ukraine – without software modifications.

Ukrainian alternatives such as Ukropter, Yautja, and Shmavik have emerged to replace Chinese drones. They are larger, offer a longer flight range, are more resistant to radio interference, and, although more expensive, are more reliable in operation.

For comparison: a Zoom drone performs about 300 missions, compared to roughly 60 for a DJI Mavic.

The manufacturer of the system, Frontline, notes that only 15% of the drone components come from China – a figure that is steadily decreasing as production expands in Ukraine.