The Armed Forces of Ukraine are forming military units focused on robotic equipment: unmanned ground systems will be integrated into combat brigades

The Ministry of Defence is expanding procurement volumes and enhancing the supply of unmanned ground systems (UGS) to units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.  

The decision was made based on the results of a comprehensive testing program that has been underway since the summer of 2024, with support from the Defence Innovation Directorate of the Ministry of Defence and in partnership with the Innovation Directorate of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 

Unmanned ground systems have already demonstrated their effectiveness in performing a wide array of combat operations, including the following: the provision of logistics, engineering, and technical support, conducting fire strikes against the enemy, and evacuating the wounded from the battlefield.

“From the very first days of the full-scale invasion, numerous brigades have deployed robotic systems on the battlefield. Leveraging this experience, we have established the key priorities and are now advancing with the systematic introduction of these technologies. Our goal is to establish fully operational military units focused on robotic equipment that will reinforce brigades on the front lines, enhance combat effectiveness, and, most importantly, save the lives of Ukrainian warriors,” emphasized Rustem Umerov, Minister of Defence of Ukraine.

Within the framework of this initiative, the Ministry of Defence involves domestic developers of unmanned platforms and software who rapidly adapt their solutions to the realities of modern warfare. The findings from the tests serve as the foundation for deploying the first fully operational UGS units within combat brigades on the front lines.

“Robotic systems can drastically revolutionize the conduct of military operations. These systems reduce risks to personnel, provide enhanced speed and payload, possess lower visibility, and can be equipped with combat, engineering, or electronic warfare modules. At this stage, we have defined the core requirements for the command and control of such units, communications, and integrating them with other units within the brigades,” said the First Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk.

Following the results of the tests, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in collaboration with the Innovation Directorate of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, developed the organizational and staffing structure for UGS units and identified the types of weapons and equipment to be tested in combat conditions.

Key advantages of unmanned ground systems: remote control, which lowers the risk of casualties among personnel; reduced visibility and compact design, making them harder for the enemy to detect; high maneuverability and speed; increased payload capacity and endurance in field conditions; and the capacity to integrate combat modules, engineering tools, electronic warfare systems, and other types of equipment.

“To fully leverage the advantages of these technologies, we are developing not only manufacturing capabilities but also a personnel training system. Robotic platform operators are required not only to control the equipment but also to plan routes, establish a communication system for controlling the UGS, and ensure effective interaction with other units. This comprehensive reform positions the Ukrainian army at the forefront of technological advancement,” added Rustem Umerov.

“In the context of the fast-paced transformation of warfare, merely having unmanned robotic systems in service is insufficient. The seamless integration of relevant, innovative technologies requires systemic changes in the deployment of combat units. That is why significant efforts are directed towards developing standards for the formation of unmanned ground systems units, as well as tactics for the collective deployment of different UGS types under a unified strategy and within the combat units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” emphasized Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Colonel Andrii Lebedenko.