The conflict in Ukraine has taken a heavy toll on the country, causing mass displacement, global food shortages, and even threatening to spill over into a wider conflict. Here, technology is playing an important role in helping to defend Ukraine’s cause, as the country bets on homegrown AI drones to even the balance. Mykhailo Fedorov, the country’s digital minister, has cited the importance of software, and believes that smarter drones can strengthen Ukraine’s defenses.
Ukraine has been able to defy and repel Russia’s larger military force, using new technologies from the commercial sector that weren’t meant to be used in conventional military doctrine. During a recent interview with Minister Fedorov, it became apparent that the Ukrainian government has welcomed unconventional approaches, which even includes encouraging foreign individuals and companies to donate commercial drone hardware through its Army of Drones initiative.
Notably, the country has already been able to exploit the effectiveness of the Bayraktar TB2 drones, a series of crude yet deadly-accurate aerial drones that have provided a morale boost in the early stages of the conflict. Commercial drones not designed for the military, such as the DJI and modified agricultural/industrial drones, have been used with great success against Russia’s forces.
Russia has adjusted tactics, however, and has used jamming signals to compromise commercial drone control systems. As a result, Ukraine has looked to develop more reliable aircraft of its own, with the help of local companies like Spaitech. Spaitech recently tested the Windhover quadcopter capable of flying in challenges weather conditions.
Ukraine has also set up financial incentives to help domestic businesses manufacture more drones and spur the growth of a domestic drone-making industry. Additionally, the country has established an Innovations Development Fund for “civil startups” as well as a Defense Tech Cluster to provide funding and other resources to military startup companies, which have seen tenfold growth since the start of the war. Minister Fedorov has also said that foreign companies, such as cloud businesses and defense firms, are welcome to collaborate.
With regard to naval drones, the country is working to become more proficient in its operations, while also relying on artificial intelligence (AI) to augment target recognition capabilities. Russian missile strikes launched from vessels in the Black Sea has further necessitated the production of small naval drones with explosive payloads.
When it comes to AI software, it is used to reduce human dependence when operating drones, which can be either fully manual or automated. Ukraine is also looking to foster its own AI-based drone capabilities.
Overall, Ukraine has been able to develop novel technologies not typically seen in conventional military doctrine, in part, thanks to its need to find unconventional solutions during the ongoing conflict. Despite the grim situation, transitioning these technologies for peacetime use could have a positive impact on the country’s economy.
Spaitech is a Ukraine based company that specializes in the production of sophisticated drones. Founded in 2017 by Andrey Zagno, Spaitech’s mission is to develop innovative drones for military, commercial and agricultural applications.
Mykhailo Fedorov is the current Minister of Digital Transformation for Ukraine. He assumed the role in 2019, and has been an advocate for utilizing innovative technologies for military purposes and defense tech startups. Fedorov also spearheads the Innovations Development Fund and the Defense Tech Cluster, which are designed to provide financial assistance to military startups.
