Exclusive-Ukraine's Antonov turns to drones in response to Russian invasion

FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian Antonov An-225 Mriya cargo plane, the world's biggest aircraft, flies during the Independence Day military parade in Kyiv, Ukraine August 24, 2021. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo

LONDON/KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's Antonov is expanding in drone making, a presentation by the country's umbrella defence group seen by Reuters shows, as it diversifies its core cargo plane business in response to Russia's invasion.

Drones made and adapted in Ukraine play a major part in the war and Antonov's previously unreported move is consistent with Ukraine's aim to be a global drone hub, boosted by investment in a sector that has grown dramatically since early 2022.