Fibre-optic drones become significantly more expensive on Brave1 Market: manufacturers explain why

UAV manufacturers have begun updating prices for fibre-optic FPV drones on the state marketplace Brave1 Market. On average, unit costs have doubled, although there are notable exceptions. Simultaneously, a substantial portion of listings remains unavailable for order due to ongoing contract revisions and protracted approval procedures.

Defender Media compared the pricing of fibre-optic drones before and after the surge and consulted manufacturers on how the market is adapting to these new conditions.

The extent of the price surge

Public procurement data indicate a significant shift in the pricing architecture of fibre-optic FPV drones. Under 2025 contracts, the cost per UAV generally ranged between UAH 30,000 and 60,000, depending on spool capacity. Specifically, drones with 10 km spools were procured at UAH 18,000–30,000 depending on configuration; for 20 km variants, prices ranged from UAH 30,000 to 50,000, contingent on procurement volumes and contract terms.

Current market rates are markedly higher. In the 15 km spool segment, new prices start at UAH 66,000; for 20 km drones, they reach UAH 77,000–107,000; and for 25 km models, costs range from UAH 98,000 to 122,000. These figures are broadly consistent across the industry, signaling a new price equilibrium following the upward revision of component costs.

Drivers of the price increase

A shortage of fibre-optic cable in the Ukrainian market emerged as early as January–February, triggered by supply chain disruptions from China, traditionally the primary exporter of low-cost raw materials. Global demand has surged amidst the rapid expansion of the artificial intelligence sector, which requires a massive increase in data centre capacity. “Chinese manufacturers have redirected their capacity towards major domestic infrastructure projects, while some supplies have effectively been blocked for export, with priority given to orders for the Russian defence-industrial complex,” a representative of General Cherry stated.

The company added that part of the price surge is driven by a forced pivot towards European and American alternatives: while a kilometre of Chinese cable cost approximately $7, Western products can reach $50 per kilometre. Consequently, the cost of raw materials alone has risen five to sevenfold, although logistics and other manufacturing overheads have remained relatively stable.

“The situation is further complicated by the fact that Western plants are hesitant to significantly expand production lines. They view the mass employment of fibre optics in warfare as a transient technological phase and fear that the rapid evolution of electronic countermeasures could render such investments unviable in the long term,” the company noted.

Contracts fulfilled at a loss

All companies interviewed by Defender Media confirmed they have fully honoured their existing supply obligations. Some manufacturers ceased accepting new orders over the winter, as selling fibre-optic drones at legacy prices had become loss-making.

Viktor Yevpak, CEO of Edrone, stated the company was forced to absorb financial deficits using previous revenues, as the spike in raw material costs occurred during the execution of state orders. “We are talking about losses amounting to hundreds of millions of hryvnias,” Yevpak noted.

Despite these financial pressures, the company maintained production and is currently securing raw materials for the summer period while preparing to formalise new contracts at adjusted rates. “The price revision mechanism from the Ministry of Defence was initiated with a delay, and the approval of changes spanned nearly the entire month of April, impacting the pace of new contracting and product availability,” Edrone added. As of May, deliveries are gradually recovering: drones with 25, 30, and 35 km spools are now available via DOT-Chain and Brave1 Market.

At Grim Tech (manufacturer of the Hromylo Optic line), the pricing gap was also covered internally: component prices jumped sixfold, necessitating a temporary suspension of deliveries via the state marketplace. “We operate primarily through centralised state procurement and direct military contracts. Sales via Brave1 Market are now progressively resuming,” the company stated.

Since late March, the Ministry of Defence has permitted manufacturers to conclude supplementary agreements and adjust the value of existing contracts in line with shifting component costs. General Cherry observed an “anomalous surge” in demand for fibre-optic platforms. “This indicates that other market players are unable to meet requirements. Due to the shortage, manufacturers are having to reallocate available stock to priority orders,” the company concluded.