Facing Russian aggression, Ukraine turns to innovation
The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia has forced the former to seek new ways of enhancing its military capabilities and resilience. Facing a more powerful and well-equipped adversary, Ukraine has turned to innovation and creativity to develop and produce new military technologies. From drones to missiles, from ships to artillery, Ukraine’s defense industry has been working hard to meet the needs of its armed forces and deter further Russian aggression.
Drones: a game-changer in the battlefield
One of the most prominent examples of Ukrainian innovation is the use of drones for both reconnaissance and assault purposes. Ukraine has been employing a wide range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor and target Russian positions, as well as to counter their own drone attacks. Some of these UAVs are commercial, off-the-shelf products, while others are developed and manufactured by Ukrainian companies or in cooperation with foreign partners.
One of the most successful Ukrainian drones is the Bayraktar TB2, a Turkish-made UAV that can carry up to four laser-guided missiles and has a range of 150 kilometers. Ukraine acquired 12 of these drones in 2022 and has been using them effectively against Russian targets, especially tanks and armored vehicles. In April 2023, a Bayraktar TB2 destroyed the Russian flagship Moskva, a guided missile cruiser, in the Black Sea, dealing a major blow to the Russian navy.
Another Ukrainian drone that has gained attention is the Delta, a comprehensive situational awareness system developed by the Innovation Center within Ukraine’s Defense Ministry. This tool could be best described as “Google maps for the military.” It allows the Ukrainian forces to collect, process, and share real-time information about the enemy’s movements, locations, and activities, using data from various sources, such as satellites, radars, cameras, and social media. Delta also enables the Ukrainian forces to coordinate their own actions and communicate with each other securely.
Missiles: a new deterrent against Russia
Another area where Ukraine has shown remarkable progress is the development and production of missiles. Ukraine inherited a rich legacy of missile technology from the Soviet era, as it was home to some of the most strategic enterprises for the Soviet military, such as Pivdenne, the heart of the Soviet intercontinental missile production. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine’s missile industry suffered from underfunding, corruption, and mismanagement, and lost most of its capabilities and markets.
The war with Russia, however, has revived the Ukrainian missile industry and stimulated its innovation. Ukraine has been developing and testing new types of missiles, such as the Neptune, a subsonic anti-ship cruise missile with a range of 280 kilometers, and the Alder, a tactical ballistic missile with a range of 130 kilometers. Both missiles are designed to target and destroy Russian naval and land assets, and have been successfully tested and deployed by the Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine has also been cooperating with foreign partners, such as Turkey and the United States, to acquire and produce more advanced missiles, such as the SOM, a supersonic cruise missile with a range of 250 kilometers, and the Javelin, a fire-and-forget anti-tank missile with a range of 2.5 kilometers. These missiles are expected to enhance Ukraine’s deterrence and defense capabilities against Russia’s superior forces.
Ships and artillery: a boost to Ukraine’s naval and land power
Ukraine has also been investing in its naval and land power, as it faces Russian threats from both the sea and the land. Ukraine has been building and upgrading its ships and artillery, using both domestic and foreign resources and technologies.
For instance, Ukraine has been constructing new corvettes, patrol boats, and missile boats, as well as modernizing its existing frigates and submarines, to strengthen its naval presence and protect its coastline and ports. Ukraine has also been collaborating with foreign shipbuilders, such as France and Germany, to produce more advanced and capable vessels, such as the Gowind-class corvettes and the Type 212 submarines.
On the land front, Ukraine has been improving its artillery systems, such as the 105mm light artillery guns and the 155mm self-propelled howitzers, to increase their accuracy, mobility, and firepower. Ukraine has also been working with foreign partners, such as Sweden and the United States, to procure and produce more sophisticated and effective weapons, such as the CV90 infantry fighting vehicles and the M777 towed howitzers.
A new era for Ukraine’s defense industry
The war with Russia has been a catalyst for Ukraine’s defense industry, which has been showing remarkable innovation and adaptation in the face of adversity. Ukraine has been developing and producing new military technologies, as well as acquiring and cooperating with foreign partners, to enhance its military capabilities and resilience. Ukraine’s defense industry has also been creating new jobs, attracting new investments, and boosting the country’s economy and security.
While Ukraine still faces many challenges and obstacles, such as corruption, bureaucracy, and sabotage, it has also demonstrated its potential and determination to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ukraine’s defense industry has entered a new era of innovation and production, and has become a key factor in the country’s survival and success.
