— The ban was implemented in 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion to ensure Ukraine's army gets all necessary supplies.

Motivations for lifting the ban:
— To scale up Ukraine's drone industry to match Russia's battlefield capabilities.
— To generate revenue for drone manufacturers, potentially up to $20 billion.
— To attract foreign investors and buyers for Ukrainian drone technology.

— Ukrainian forces face a significant shortage of drones for surveillance, cover, and long-range attacks. The state budget for weapons in 2024 is only $6 billion, with about one-third allocated for drones.

— This budget is insufficient to meet frontline demands and invest in research and development. Russia currently has a 5-10 to 1 advantage in battlefield drones.

— Drone companies are looking to sell excess production abroad to generate revenue for manufacturing more drones for the army. Some Ukrainian manufacturers have started producing in Poland to circumvent the export ban.

— CJNG is notorious for its extreme violence, employing tactics such as public executions, mutilation of victims, and attacks on law enforcement.

— The cartel uses advanced weaponry, including drones and rocket-propelled grenades, to engage in direct confrontations with security forces.

— They have military-grade weapons that often outmatch those available to Mexican law enforcement.

— JASSM Air-launched cruise missile
— Link 16 Secure communications network
— ATACMS Long-range surface-to-surface missile
— Ukrainian-made long-range drones

“They are ready to blockade Taiwan at any time they want,” he says.

China has twice as many frigates and ten times as many destroyers.

Taiwan often has to deploy 25-50% of its combat vessels just to match China’s patrols.

“They give you extreme pressure, pressure, pressure. They’re trying to exhaust you,” says Admiral Tang.

“The PLA is trying to force Taiwan to make mistakes,” says Admiral Tang, and looking for “excuses” to trigger a blockade.