Why the K-Battery Used in Ukrainian Drones Is Gaining Attention

China Restricts Battery Exports to US Drone Companies

In a video posted on social networking service (SNS), Ukrainian drone company Wild Hornets explains the battery used in its drones. Photo by X Capture

Batteries produced by a Korean company have been found to be used in unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) that are significantly impacting Ukraine's power in the Russia-Ukraine war. As drones emerge as key assets for national security, Korean-made batteries are gaining attention as an alternative to Chinese products.

According to reports from Forbes and others on the 20th, recently, Ukrainian drone manufacturer Wild Hornets revealed the battery pack used in their drones in a video posted on the social networking service (SNS) 'X'. This battery pack is made with 2170 (21mm width, 70mm length) cylindrical batteries with a capacity of 5000 milliampere-hours (mAh), produced by a Korean company.

The person appearing in the video stated, "When we started producing drones a year ago, we used batteries from other manufacturers, but the results were not always good," expressing satisfaction with the currently used batteries. He emphasized that "the quality and reliability of the battery are important," and that good batteries are necessary to make good drones. Since soldiers' lives depend on it, even if additional costs are incurred, batteries with proven quality must be used. He also stressed the term 'genuine quality' in the video.

Wild Hornets produced this video to raise funds needed to purchase batteries. The video creator explained that a 10,000mAh capacity battery pack costs $65, and a 15,000mAh capacity battery costs $90, stating that $37,000 in fundraising is required to buy the batteries.

Wild Hornets purchases these batteries in bulk and then manufactures battery packs tailored to the size of their drones. However, it is estimated that the company procures the batteries through a third party rather than purchasing directly from the original manufacturer. In August, the Ukrainian government also held an international bidding for drone batteries.

The attention on Ukraine using Korean-made batteries in drones is due to recent restrictions imposed by China on the export of drone batteries, which has impacted American drone companies.

The Chinese government announced in July that it would restrict the export of drones for military purposes. Then, on the 10th of last month, the Chinese government announced sanctions against Skydio, the largest American drone company. Skydio supplied drones to the U.S. military and Taiwan's Fire Department. The Ukrainian military has also used drones from this company. Due to these sanctions, Skydio is facing restrictions on battery supplies from China.

Adam Bry, CEO of Skydio, stated on the company's website on the 30th of last month, "Due to the sanctions, battery supplies will decrease over the coming months," and criticized it as "an attempt to deepen dependence on Chinese drone suppliers." Skydio, which had been using Chinese-made batteries, is currently seeking alternative supply sources. Forbes explained, "The case of the Ukrainian drone company shows how dependence on the Chinese supply chain can be broken."