Adapt or Die Part II - Drone Development and Knowledge Exchange in Ukraine

Introduction

The following content was originally featured in the 7th issue of the European Resilience Newsletter, by Jack Wang & Uwe Horstmann. We appreciate their dedication to accelerating the European Defence Tech ecosystem. To access the complete newsletter and learn more about the contributors, please visit: https://resiliencetech.project-a.com/ .

This issue features guest author Matthias Lehna. Matthias is the Director of Development and Government Relations at Quantum Systems. He boasts a diverse background, including fourteen years in the German armed forces and roles in NATO operations, UN peacekeeping, and military innovation at the Cyber Innovation Hub der Bundeswehr. His extensive experience in defense and security, including serving the chairwoman of the defence committee at the Bundestag, enriches his current position, where he closely follows developments in drone warfare.

Drone Development and Knowledge Exchange

This report combines an on-the-ground perspective with an analytical approach to drone warfare in Ukraine. It is based on the insights the author made during a business research trip made in December 2023.

Part I explored the Drone Training Centre of the Armed Forces and the types of drones used at the frontline. Part II focuses on knowledge transfer and how it enhances resilience technology and shapes the future of drone warfare in Ukraine.

Kyiv’s Drone Experts Driving Innovation

In Kyiv, one of Ukraine’s most experienced drone experts works from an unassuming house among skyscrapers. At the Come Back Alive Foundation, Hlieb leads drone training operations. Despite his modest appearance, his expertise makes him central to Ukraine’s UAV strategy.

The Foundation, one of Ukraine’s largest NGOs, has raised resources through crowdfunding since 2014. Hlieb openly shares his extensive knowledge of drone models, focusing on key specifications such as range, endurance, and reconnaissance depth. His mission: to ensure Ukraine’s forces stay informed and ready to advance UAV technology.

From Battlefield to Innovation Pipeline

Hlieb embodies Ukraine’s bottom-up approach to military innovation. Unlike traditional top-down models, new insights are generated directly from the battlefield. Quick adaptation and real-time feedback are rapidly integrated into drone development, ensuring more effective and mission-appropriate systems.

This wartime environment accelerates innovation but also poses challenges. Armed forces must balance the need to experiment with the immediate pressure of defeating a capable adversary.

Knowledge Transfer as Resilience Technology

The conflict highlights the strategic importance of knowledge sharing. What began as a tactical battlefield tool has become a strategic element of Ukraine’s defense doctrine.

Drone warfare now relies on unprecedented levels of technological transparency. Both sides deploy UAVs, electronic warfare devices, and aerial intelligence. Success depends not only on drone capabilities but also on the ability to quickly interpret and act upon vast streams of sensor data.

The Future of Drone Warfare in Ukraine

Looking ahead, several developments are shaping Ukraine’s UAV capabilities:

Networked drone operations for swarming tactics.
Electronic warfare advancements to counter enemy UAVs.
Low-cost long-range missiles extending battlefield reach.

These advancements require sustained knowledge exchange, international support, and adaptability.

As Olexandr Berezhny, COO of Quantum Systems Ukraine, states: “If you are not in Ukraine, you don’t exist here.”

Human Expertise as the Decisive Factor

Technology alone will not determine the outcome. Ukraine’s strength lies in skilled individuals who combine technical expertise with strategic and tactical judgment.

This knowledge exchange model, integrated with advanced UAV systems, ensures that innovation is continuous and battlefield-driven. At its core, drone warfare in Ukraine demonstrates that adaptability and shared expertise are as crucial as hardware.

Why Knowledge Exchange Will Define the Future of UAVs

Ukraine’s experience proves that drone technology depends on both innovation and knowledge transfer. Continuous learning, adaptation, and collaboration are the real force multipliers in modern warfare.

As technology advances, the ability to exchange and apply battlefield knowledge will remain a decisive factor, shaping not only the future of drone warfare but also the broader landscape of defense technology.