In March 2026, President Zelenskyy revealed that Ukrainian private companies had secretly built around 10 interceptor drone factories abroad, bypassing government export controls to chase profits. One firm alone sold 1,000 drones overseas for $3.5 million while the Ukrainian army faced shortages at home.

This episode dives deep into the timeless tension: In a real war, who should control the weapons industry — the government or private businesses?

We explore the rapid rise of Ukraine’s private drone sector, the risks of “war capitalism,” historical lessons from World War II, successful models from Israel and Turkey, and the long-term global consequences as cheap drone technology spreads worldwide.

We also bring the discussion closer to home, discussing what Southeast Asia and Thailand can learn as they develop their own drone pr ...