Rapid Education in Action: Aerial Combat with Drones During the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict
In the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian War, the integration of drones has proven to be a game-changer, as highlighted in a recent article by Dr. Kerry Chávez, published in Arms Control Today.
Dr. Chávez, an MWI research fellow and instructor in the Political Science Department at Texas Tech University, details several significant lessons from the use of drones in the conflict.
One key lesson is the transformation of battlefield effectiveness through the integration of drones with artillery. This innovative approach has made artillery fire lethally accurate, with real-time adjustments and instant battle damage assessment. This capability has enabled Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian operational areas, including command posts and logistics hubs.
Another crucial aspect is the use of drone swarms for reconnaissance and target designation. This tactic has enabled rapid degradation of enemy combat power before ground offensives, as demonstrated by the Battle of Kherson in late 2022. The use of drones has shaped the battlefield at an unprecedented tempo and scale.
The creation of the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) in 2024 marked a shift towards operational-level integration of drones rather than solely tactical use. This new force structure allows dedicated operational formations supporting corps and divisions, as well as conducting independent deep operations.
Ukraine's massive investment and indigenous development of drones, aiming to operate "over a million" unmanned aircraft systems, demonstrate the country's commitment to reshaping its military around unmanned technologies. Experienced commanders lead the USF, ensuring effective implementation of these new strategies.
These lessons underscore how drones have revolutionised operational warfare in Ukraine, enhancing precision, speed, and command integration. This shift towards drone-centric organisations and combined arms concepts is likely to have implications for current and future wars, extending to preponderant militaries such as the United States and under-resourced rebels.
Despite initially overlooking the use of drones, the Russians are learning from their mistakes. The stunted progress of the Russian military has led to debates about flaws in Russian intelligence, motivation, morale, and logistics.
Ukrainians have resisted and even routed Russian forces on many fronts, a testament to the effectiveness of drone warfare. However, it's important to note that the views expressed in the article are not the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.
The image credit for the article is from mil.ru, sourced from Wikimedia Commons.
In conclusion, the use of drones in the Russian-Ukrainian War has provided valuable lessons for military forces worldwide, highlighting the need for new command concepts in unmanned warfare and a shift towards drone-centric organisations and combined arms concepts.
- The integration of drones in the Russian-Ukrainian War has been a game-changer, transforming battlefield effectiveness through the fusion of drones with artillery, which has resulted in deadly accurate artillery fire with real-time adjustments and instant battle damage assessment.
- The utilization of drone swarms for reconnaissance and target designation has enabled rapid degradation of enemy combat power, demonstrated by the Battle of Kherson in late 2022, thereby shaping the battlefield at an unprecedented tempo and scale.
- The creation of the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) in 2024 signifies a shift towards operational-level integration of drones rather than solely tactical use, enabling dedicated operational formations supporting corps and divisions, as well as conducting independent deep operations.
- Ukraine's massive investment and indigenous development of drones, aiming to operate "over a million" unmanned aircraft systems, demonstrate the country's commitment to reshaping its military around unmanned technologies, under the guidance of experienced commanders.
- The lessons learned from the use of drones in the war have revolutionized operational warfare, enhancing precision, speed, and command integration, and could impact future wars, including those waged by preponderant militaries such as the United States and under-resourced rebels.
- Despite initially overlooking the use of drones, the Russians are learning from their mistakes, with debates arising about flaws in Russian intelligence, motivation, morale, and logistics, as they face resistance and even routing by Ukrainian forces on many fronts.
