The appearance of drones fundamentally changed the way of wars. During my military service, unmanned systems passed from the auxiliary role to the central element of combat operations. The invasion of Russia to Ukraine not only drives the use of drones, but also their innovation, which caused the arms race between the two sides of the war.
While drones for Russia were dominated by state entities such as China and Iran, Ukrainian deliveries come from Ukraine itself, in cooperation with Western innovators in the field of defense. The decentralized strategy allowed Ukrainians to survive and sometimes even prosperwhile hindering Russia to conduct more centralized activities. However, this approach has significant disadvantages that require changes in relations between Western companies and the Ukrainian military units they support.
During my career I saw innovations and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles on the battlefield. Serving in Afghanistan as a platoon commander in 2020, I saw how the enemy forces use cheap quadcopters UAV [bezzałogowe statki powietrzne] for supervision. Similarly, when I was sent to Syria as an expert to prevent Russian presence on site, I witnessed how the role of these technologies became wider and wider. Earlier versions of Iranian Shahids and Russian Orłan were widespread. Even at that stage of drone surgery on the battlefield, it was clear that defending bases against this new threat would become a serious challenge.
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I carefully followed changes in drone technology throughout my life after serving in the army, including during volunteering in Ukraine in recent years, providing medical supplies to front units in Borowa, Iziło and Kupiańsk. It is well known that Traditional military equipment, such as armor and artillery, is becoming more and more outdated against the background of unmanned systems. On today's battlefield in Ukraine, drones are used for a wide range of surgery, including logistics, medical evacuation, direct and indirect fire, intelligence and obstacle distribution.
Ukraine and Western drone producers will benefit from this solution
With a constantly growing dependence on unmanned systems in combat operations, effective logistics in this sphere is crucial for Ukraine's perseverance in this fight. This raises the question: How can we provide her with optimal solutions in the matter of drones?
Ukrainian units are usually very willing to test drones for Western defense technologies, but They often never receive any benefits from their efforts. Units provide these companies with feedback, after which the company sells equipment unchanged with the sticker “tested in Ukraine”.
However, before the company tests and produces an unmanned system, it is often outdated before it hits the battlefield. I even heard about cases when drones were tested and developed by unfriendly forces against Ukraineand then sold with a sticker “tested in Ukraine”.
The current system is unsuccessful because Western arms companies do not keep up with the arms of unmanned systems. Moreover, Ukrainian individuals often do not have any operational benefits from their specialist knowledge. However, it does not have to be like that.
To minimize these problems, it is necessary to adapt the current system to a long -term partnership between Western companies dealing with defensive technologies and Ukrainian military units. In the modern world The most valuable resource of Ukraine is specialist knowledge in the field of unmanned systems – Therefore, units should test systems only if companies agree to apply the recommendations of units and agree to send a specific percentage of production to the front. This would allow Ukrainian units to control the quality of the product obtained, while the number of products obtained would grow with production.
Eugen Kotenko / Ukrinform / PAP
Drones delivered by a charity organization from Latvia for Ukrainian military intelligence. Kyiv, Ukraine, August 14, 2025
Companies would also benefit from such a solutionbecause it ensures continuity and directness of the relationship, enabling real -time innovation.
Ultimately, this should allow the slogan “tested in Ukraine” to the standard of sales of drones, a Unmanned systems should be certified and sold as tested by specific units. They will then benefit not only to try new technologies, but also in close and constant contact with Western companies that reward them for their contribution to the development of drones – and all this while ensuring that the units will receive exactly the technology they need and something that will proudly wear the brand “produced in Ukraine”.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
