The Ukraine-Russia war, now a defining conflict of the 21st century, has become a proving ground for defence innovations and technological advancements. This war has not only underscored the significance of traditional military strategies but also highlighted how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping the battlefield.
Ukraine’s defense industry has become an area of speedy innovations as the war with Russia escalates, forcing manufacturers to develop new electronic warfare. And though the authorities are doing everything they can to rebuild the country’s previous military potential, private defense firms are leading the charge. Such companies have already embraced a never-ending invention, reinvention, and adaptation cycle. Their approach was born out of necessity, yet is about to show the whole world how speedy decisions should be made.
A War of One Day: Ideas That Save Lives
Almost from the start of the full-scale war, Ukrainian defense companies established a close connection with the military. This connection allows the companies to keep developing and deploying counter-drone technologies at immense speed. The process is fast and dynamic, adapting to the current battlefield strategy. For this reason, it got the name of the war of one-day ideas. The term intends to highlight the speed of military innovations.
Unfortunately, lengthy development cycles are prevailing in the Western defense industries. They span years, while Ukraine delivers electronic warfare solutions within weeks. Recently, the UK’s defense secretary John Healey admitted that Ukraine’s incredible agility is the result of the conflict’s speed and existential stakes. According to Healey, “If you are fighting for your freedom, and you are at war, then it isn’t just that you can do that, it is you have to do that.”
Private firms at the Forefront of Ukraine Defense Innovations
Kvertus is one of the Ukrainian tech firms taking an active part in the current technological arms race. The company considers the urgency and ingenuity of local defense efforts. For this, they have already created the $6,000 “hedgehog” backpack and unmanned ground robot ($100,000).
The “hedgehog” backpack impresses with its antennas and generates a dome-like shield that jams drones running on 50-60 frequency ranges from 100MHz to 5.8 GHz. This modern electronic warfare allows Ukrainian soldiers to improve their air defense against Russian drones.
In the interview for Defence Express, CEO of Kvertus, Yaroslav Filimonov, explains the importance of timely innovations: “Technology is developing very quickly, and if you stop for a month or so and fall off the pace, then that’s the end of it, ‘say goodbye’, you just don’t have time. Here, look, new drones of frequencies 750 and 415 have appeared. Relatively, out of 1,000 kamikaze drones, 900 are ordinary ones and 100 are these new ones. That is, 10% of drones. In just a week, we’ll receive parts to work with these frequencies.”
Kvertus has also made $100,000 unmanned ground anti-drone systems are. It was designed to block drones’ GPS signals, thus disabling the flying machines. The unmanned ground robot is also used as a stretcher, evacuating soldiers from the battlefield. The robot was first developed and used for an urgent plea from the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, who weren’t able to retrieve their injured soldiers because of the drone attack.
Drone Countermeasures and Human Life
In 2024 and beyond, Ukrainian skies have become very densely populated with drones. Today, there are nearly 800 unmanned machines per 1 square mile. According to the Fortune material by Andriy Dovbenko, the UK TechExchange company, antu-drone technologies are the key focus, and not only for the military.” Images of terrified soldiers panicking in the vanishing moment before the feed cuts as the first-person-view (FPV) drone takes out its target have become macabre social media fodder. Try substituting such horrifying visions from Ukraine’s battlefield for a political rally, stadium concert, or bustling transport hub in a European or U.S. city and it’s a potential glimpse into a genuine threat”.
More of Modern Warfare Strategies Is to Come
Since 2022, Ukraine’s defense industry has undergone multiple positive changes. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine is now producing nearly 4,000,000 drones per year. Taking into consideration that in 2022 the numbers were close to zero, the leap is more than just significant.
Moreover, according to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine has tripled its domestic weapons production in 2023. By the end of the year, it was expected to double the number once again. Official reports from the Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence showcase new models of domestically produced weapons appearing in 2024.
The Future of Ukraine Defense Innovations
The technological arms race keeps growing, and companies around the world are stepping up. They are looking to quickly adapt to the demands of the battlefield and make sure that the Ukrainian army is at least one step ahead of Russia and its drones. Moreover, such innovations save lives.