Mykhailo Fedorov: Ukraine is strengthening its technological capabilities and requires support in three key areas
Ukraine and its partners are strengthening the country’s defense capabilities. At the same time, achieving a just peace requires scaling up support in several key areas: air defense, drone and missile production, and the supply of extended-range artillery ammunition.
Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov made this statement during his address at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference, which brought together military and government officials from NATO countries, as well as representatives of the defense tech sector.
The Minister thanked the team at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) for the invitation and productive cooperation, and the UK Government for its consistent support for Ukraine.
The battlefield situation in Ukraine
According to Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine is gradually becoming more effective at countering aerial threats, in part due to the continued development of lower-tier air defense.
On the ground, the Defence Forces of Ukraine are increasing strikes against enemy logistics and targeting the russian economy.
Drones play a key role on the battlefield. Notably, the Unmanned Systems Forces account for one in every four enemy targets struck along the front line. Ukraine is taking steps to stay ahead of russia in every technological cycle by scaling up effective units, expanding the ePoints system, and developing other innovative solutions.
Three critical needs of Ukraine
Mykhailo Fedorov outlined three areas in which Ukraine requires immediate support to maintain the initiative.
The first priority is air defense. Ukraine has an urgent requirement for Patriot missiles, particularly PAC-3 interceptors. Support for the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) is therefore of critical importance.
Ballistic missiles and glide bombs remain our two primary challenges. Together with our partners, we are working to strip russia of this advantage.
The second priority is scaling up Ukrainian drone and missile production.
Although 2026 is projected to be a record year for drone manufacturing, Ukraine has the potential to scale production even further with sufficient funding. In addition, exports of Ukrainian-developed solutions to strategic partners will soon be authorized for the first time.
The third priority is extended-range artillery ammunition. Ukraine requires artillery rounds capable of reaching targets at ranges of at least 30 kilometers.
Scaling up and accelerating support in these areas will help strengthen Ukraine’s position and bring a just peace closer.
Transformation of military service
The Minister also outlined the first phase of the transformation of military service.
The key change is the transition to a new contract system with transparent conditions and clearly defined service durations. Ukraine is launching new simplified mechanisms for service members to transfer between units, introducing the highest level of service remuneration for infantry and assault personnel, and preparing the next steps in the transformation process.