Ukraine leads drone industry with new Unmanned Systems Forces — video interview

The Unmanned Systems Forces have been introduced. How will these military units impact the development of Ukraine's diverse types and classes of drones? What are your thoughts?

We are witnessing a revolution here, where an ecosystem has been created virtually from scratch over the past decade of war around robotic devices capable of transforming industries.

Our focus is currently on defense and security technologies, where Ukraine leads in terms of quality and systematic drone application. It's not just about application; it's about equipment manufacturing, design, continuous innovations, and the training of professionals to repair, create new drones, use them, and educate others. It's a vast ecosystem involving tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people.

There are likely already over a hundred thousand proficient drone operators in Ukraine alone. I believe the numbers are much more optimistic than commonly thought.

As we built this ecosystem, it initially grew through private initiatives, state-supported ideas, external funding, donations, and the tremendous power of volunteerism. Each entity developed something unique, but together, we've created an industry that sets a global example.

No country in the world produces more drones than Ukraine. What we manufacture encompasses a wide array of trade brands, equipment units, technical specifications, and unique features. The establishment of specialized military units now represents systematization and a shift from quantity to quality.

With such diversity, do we now need centralization to unify types of systems? We're discussing not only flying drones but also ground robotic systems, maritime unmanned systems, and unmanned vessels. Do we need schematization amidst this diversity to understand which types to develop and how to standardize components, transitioning from grassroots creativity to a robust industrial sector?

It's crucial to distinguish between industry development and its support. When it comes to development, grassroots creativity is unparalleled globally, thanks to what's unfolding in Ukraine and the opportunities provided to Ukrainian enterprises.

So, when we talk about creating new products and technologies, we must continue advancing. Standardizing manufacturing is impossible; it's about creativity and constant progression.

However, there's already a need for standardization in support aspects. We already have tens, hundreds of thousands, even millions of drones in use that need systematization in operator training and tactical execution. It's not just about using drones to hit targets; it's about doing so efficiently, integrating different military branches and mobile groups to maximize enemy damage while conserving resources.

When we discuss standardization — yes, it's needed at this stage. It's needed in logistics, ensuring certain drones have standardized spare parts approaches, reserves, and backup unit quantities, especially for reconnaissance drones and beyond.

We can already discuss scaling up production and even using the same ground robotics. It's necessary to lay the foundation for standardization so that one military unit using one robot can switch to another within hours if they are of the same class and have similar control system requirements, even if they are produced by different factories.

Uniting manufacturers or standardizing them, or packaging them into a specific unified ownership management model isn't necessary. Competition fosters open markets and enables Ukraine to obtain the best products. However, state guidance is essential, especially concerning standardization.

Who will oversee this direction now? Will it be the command of the Unmanned Systems Forces?

We need to see how this unfolds. Again, there's no global precedent to model after; we are pioneers. When it comes to roles, we expect leadership, particularly in standardization and scalable approaches necessary for this entire industry to become a powerful force, with Ukraine at the forefront of global security technology.

Ukraine is conscripting, and recruiting is critical. Your thoughts on recruiting for the Unmanned Systems Forces?

This needs to be done through recruiting agencies, searching for talents already skilled in these technologies. I believe in recruiting where people can apply through open positions posted on specialized platforms.

Another critical issue is preparing people. You mentioned the first part. You said we need to recruit those who already have the relevant experience. However, it's quite probable that there won't be enough of these people, considering the scale of this war and the magnitude of the task at hand. How should training and education be addressed, especially concerning military education?

In this segment, when it comes to modern technologies like drone technology, we need to teach individuals with military education, especially those in certain leadership roles. They need training and practical involvement across various enterprises to gain insights into these technologies practically. I apologize, please don't criticize me, but in such turbulent times and in fields of technologies that didn't exist before, I don't quite believe in classical education approaches that could span over several years. We must focus on military education, training, and qualifications.

It's crucial to involve people with military education and qualifications to acquire additional knowledge in robotics, to work in this new direction. It's not difficult.

We've shown the world that practically anyone can assemble drones and learn to be engineers too. When it comes to education, we need to teach people, open orientation centers, and retraining facilities, and work closely with private entities to share experiences for better state understanding. There's no other way.