Ukraine is relying on technology instead of manpower – Associated Press
Ukraine is actively integrating artificial intelligence into the military sector, with the goal of creating a unified network of autonomous systems for frontline defense within a few years. The Ministry of Defense emphasizes that technological superiority is becoming a key factor for survival in war.
This was stated by Danylo Tsvok, head of the Ministry of Defense’s Center for Defense Artificial Intelligence, according to an Associated Press report.
According to Tsvok, AI is already helping Ukraine hold territory and reduce risks for soldiers in the face of an enemy with greater resources. The main goal of the developments is to outpace the enemy in decision-making speed.
“The future belongs to autonomous systems. AI allows us to automate parts of the target engagement chain. This is not just a competitive advantage; it is a matter of our survival,” he emphasized.
Tsivok predicts that in the coming years, a network of “smart” weapons will appear on the battlefield, operating under the control of a unified situational awareness platform.
An important stage in technology integration is the use of ground-based robotic platforms. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently reported that in just three months this year, ground drones have carried out over 20,000 missions: from logistics and the evacuation of the wounded to direct combat engagements. Some successful attacks are already being conducted entirely without human involvement.
Currently, the Ukrainian defense sector includes over 2,000 manufacturers and technology firms. They are testing tools to create swarms of drones capable of acting in a coordinated manner, reducing the workload on operators.
Danylo Tsivok emphasized that Ukraine does not seek to create fully autonomous “killer robots,” but rather focuses on efficiency and deeper integration with Western partners. In particular, Tsivok’s department receives financial support from the UK Ministry of Defense.
“Democracies must develop strong defense capabilities. Without artificial intelligence, they will not be able to effectively protect peace. This applies not only to Ukraine but also to global security,” the head of the Center concluded.
As a reminder, the Ministry of Defense has added ground-based robotic systems to the DOT-Chain Defense weapons marketplace.
The Ukrainian Army is procuring Protector robotic systems.
Lithuania has announced a fundraiser for robotic systems for the Armed Forces of Ukraine: here’s how much they plan to raise.
