• Ukrainian startups are advancing AI drone technology in the face of Russian conflict, aiming for a strategic edge on the battlefield.
  • Efforts are underway to develop AI drones that can operate independently of human control, reducing vulnerability to Russian electronic jamming.

OUR TAKE
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology is redefining military strategy and tactics in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Drones, the new darling of warfare, with their AI-based control systems, are becoming the new focus of the warring sides’ struggle for technological superiority. This technological revolution has not only brought about tactical changes, but also triggered extensive ethical and legal discussions.
–Elodie Qian, BTW reporter

What happened

As the conflict with Russia intensifies, a handful of Ukrainian startups are leading the charge in developing AI systems to pilot drones, aiming to gain a technological edge in warfare. The goal is to deploy AI-enabled drones across the front line, overcoming signal jamming by Russian forces and enabling drones to operate in larger, more coordinated groups.

Swarmer, a key player in this technological race, is developing software that connects drones in a network, allowing for instantaneous decision-making across the swarm. CEO Serhiy Kupriienko explains that managing a swarm of drones is virtually impossible for humans, but AI can handle hundreds efficiently.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, over 200 tech firms have emerged, with civilians from IT backgrounds stepping up to develop drones and other devices to aid Ukraine in its defense. Kupriienko highlights that AI can process operations involving more drones than human pilots, with the system called Styx directing both large and small reconnaissance and strike drones.

Automation not only scales up operations but also protects drone pilots who are often targeted by enemy fire. Despite ongoing development and experimental trials on the battlefield, Swarmer’s technology promises to revolutionise drone warfare.

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Why it’s important

Concerns about the ethics of AI in warfare are prevalent, with fears that such systems could violate international humanitarian law and lower the threshold for war. AI is already being utilised in Ukraine’s long-range drone strikes, targeting military facilities and oil refineries deep within Russian territory.

The need for AI-enabled drones is growing as both sides deploy Electronic Warfare (EW) systems that disrupt signals between pilots and drones. Small, inexpensive FPV (first person vision) drones, which were the primary method of attacking enemy vehicles in 2023, are now seeing a decrease in hit rates due to increased jamming.

Max Makarchuk, AI lead for Brave1, a defense tech accelerator, predicts that AI-operated FPV drones could achieve hit rates of around 80%. To counter the EW threat, developers are creating functions that allow drones to lock onto targets through their cameras, negating the need for pilot control and thus avoiding the effects of signal jamming.

The development of AI drones has been ongoing for years, but their deployment has been hindered by high costs and experimental nature. In Ukraine, manufacturers are focused on creating an affordable AI targeting system that can be deployed widely along the 1,000 km front line, where thousands of FPV drones are used weekly.

Utilising Raspberry Pi, a small and inexpensive computer, can significantly reduce costs. Makarchuk estimates that installing a simple targeting system, which locks onto a shape visible to the drone’s camera, would cost only about $150 per drone. This affordability could be a game-changer in the ongoing conflict.