Ministry of Defense Updates Staff Structure and Pilot Positions for Unmanned Systems Under ‘Contract 18-24’ Program
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has taken a significant step forward in advancing and modernizing its military units by approving a new list of units and positions for unmanned system operators within the comprehensive framework of the ‘Contract 18-24’ program.
This decision emerged from a systematic analysis of the army’s needs in modern drone technology and military equipment.
According to official sources, 46 Ukrainian Armed Forces units have been designated for this project, including notable units such as the 414th Separate Shock Drone Brigade ‘Madyar Birds’ and the 20th Separate BPS Regiment ‘K-2’.
Within the program, 32 staff positions are planned, focusing on the operation of various drone types, including FPV-drone operators, engineers managing terrestrial robotic complexes, and operators of aerial UAVs for combat and special missions.The full list of units and application procedures are available on the official project website at 18-24.army.gov.ua.
This initiative is part of large-scale reforms in the defense sector aimed at increasing military mobility and technological preparedness of Ukrainian troops.
In early August, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Denis Shmygal announced that the government is enhancing the implementation of new directions within ‘Contract 18-24’, particularly focusing on drone operators serving in the Armed Forces, National Guard, and State Border Service, marking a critical step in strengthening national security and defense capabilities.