Supply, loss audit, and scaling unmanned ground robotic systems: Ministry of Defence advances solutions for the front line

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine is initiating a series of measures to strengthen warriors on the front line. These measures will focus on military unit supply, loss assessment, and scaling effective technologies.

As Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov noted, following his frontline visit and pursuant to the President’s directive, work has begun on specific solutions.

Launching a baseline drone supply program for brigades. It ensures guaranteed monthly provision of FPV drones, reconnaissance drones, bomber UAVs, and other unmanned aerial platforms, in addition to state deliveries, the e-Point system, and other procurement channels. This will enable brigades to plan their defense operations and operate with confidence in their available resources. Efforts are also underway to establish a centralized supply of Starlink terminals and pickup trucks for the military.         

Loss assessment. We are initiating a comprehensive assessment of each battlefield loss. The assessment will help identify key issues and support data-driven decision-making to resolve them. Our people are our highest value. We will fight for the life of every warrior.

Changing the approach to needs planning. In the near term, we are transitioning from manual needs planning to an automated model. Drawing on reliable frontline data, we will define real operational requirements without an excessive and inefficient diversity of solutions. Our objective is to provide service members with the most effective solutions, so they do not have to refine them themselves in the trenches.

The annual drone supply objectives have been revised. A procurement plan has been developed. Procurement volumes will increase for interceptor drones, FPV and fiber-optic drones, fixed-wing reconnaissance UAVs, and operational-depth strike drones, as well as other required assets. Contracts for Q1 are already in place: for the first time, requirements were determined using data-driven methodology to eliminate subjective bias and corruption risks. The effects of these procurements will soon translate into tangible improvements on the front line.

Scaling unmanned ground robotic systems. This year will see a multiple-fold increase in unmanned ground robotic systems. The objective is to transition logistics operations to unmanned ground robotic systems in order to reduce personnel losses.

Developing alternatives to Mavic drones. We are developing AI-powered systems capable of replacing Mavic drones. These solutions are already undergoing testing and will soon be scaled up for frontline use.

During his working visit to the Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv sectors, Mykhailo Fedorov gathered dozens of proposals from service members and noted multiple problem areas. The Ministry of Defence is working on systemic solutions to address them.

“I met with commanders of corps and force groupings, brigade commanders, and heads of military administrations. We held coordination meetings with Operational Command ‘South’, Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi, and Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Robert “Madyar” Brovdi. We worked directly with mechanized and air assault brigades, as well as air defense units. The goal is to synchronize decisions to strengthen our defense and systematically prepare for the spring,” the Minister of Defence said.

Efforts will continue across the following key priorities:

• strengthening tactical and operational depth;
• scaling drones and interceptor systems;
• protecting logistics and critical supply routes;
• reinforcing brigade personnel strength;
• deploying additional air defense units;
• advancing electronic warfare and radar coverage capabilities;
• building and reinforcing defensive fortifications.