Ukrainian Drone Maker Reports 6-10x Fiber Optic Price Hikes Due to AI Data Center Demand
BlueBird Tech states that AI data center construction has squeezed global fiber optic supply, causing prices to rise 6 to 10 times over the past two years.
According to Tom's Hardware, a research and development representative for Ukrainian drone manufacturer BlueBird Tech told Ars Technica that prices for fiber optic cables have risen approximately six to ten times in the past couple of years as AI data center demand absorbs more of the global supply. This shortage is hindering Ukraine's ability to scale production of fiber-optic guided drones.
The representative noted that while both Russia and Ukraine are estimated to produce around 50,000 fiber optic drones monthly, Ukraine acquired only 72 miles of fiber optic cable from Chinese suppliers in August 2025, whereas Russia imported 328,000 miles during the same month. It was reported that Russia secured 37 million miles of fiber throughout 2025, accounting for over 10% of global production. Additionally, some Chinese companies were claimed to have refused to sell fiber optic cables to Ukraine.
There is an estimated 111-million-mile shortfall in global fiber optic cable supply. Beyond material scarcity, trade barriers and supply chain concentration exacerbate the issue. While there has been talk of producing fiber optic cables domestically in Ukraine, such manufacturing requires specially trained personnel, and the currently limited supply makes it difficult to support the training and quality control needed before large-scale automation can be implemented.