The cost of fibre optic cable for drones has increased 4–6 times, impacting UAV production

Ukraine is facing a critical shortage of fibre-optic cable used to control FPV drones, several manufacturers told Defender Media. According to them, the shortage is already seriously affecting drone production. Some companies have stopped accepting new orders, while others have been forced to halt their own coil-winding workshops due to a lack of materials.

The cost of fibre optic cable has been surging over the past 2–3 months, with no current signs of price stabilisation for raw materials. “If it was possible to order cable for $24 per kilometre two weeks ago, the price has now risen to $29 and above,” says Marco Tokarchuk of Gedz Tech. This trend directly correlates with the rising cost of finished products: due to a spike in fibre-optic prices, the unit price of a single UAV has nearly doubled.

The Sternenko Community Foundation also notes that fibre optic prices have increased at least four to five times compared to December 2025. Delivery lead times currently range from 2–3 weeks, often longer, directly impacting procurement cycles and timelines.

According to Tokarchuk, one of the most significant challenges for manufacturers is the inability to fulfil previously signed contracts at fixed prices. “The production cost of a drone has already escalated, but we cannot adjust the pricing under agreements concluded several months ago,” he explains. Manufacturers are seeking regulators’ approval to adjust contract prices to reflect current market volatility.

Overall, the shortage disproportionately affects small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that lack the capital to stockpile raw materials in advance. The majority of the fibre optic cable used in Ukraine originates from China and is supplied either directly or through European intermediaries.