Modern War Institute The Military Technological Arms Race in Ukraine
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Oct 5, 2025 Sam Bendett, an advisor with the Russia Studies Program at CNA, delves into the technological arms race in Ukraine, characterized by rapid innovation from both sides. He explains how Ukraine's integrated use of drones and electronic warfare has played a pivotal role, particularly during the Kursk offensive. Sam highlights the significance of volunteer-driven tech ecosystems in Ukraine, the evolution of counter-UAV tactics, and the implications of commercial dual-use technology. He also discusses how lessons from this conflict may resonate globally.
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Commercial Agriculture Drones Weaponized
- Ukraine repurposed agricultural Chinese drones and scaled volunteer-built designs for combat rapidly.
- Those platforms proved effective as bombers, supply carriers, and electronic warfare hosts at night.
Volunteers Accelerate Frontline Innovation
- Volunteer tech communities accelerated innovation by iterating with frontline feedback and delivering prototypes fast.
- Governments then created platforms (e.g., Brave One) to test, select, and scale these volunteer solutions.
Russia's 'People's VPK' Emerges
- Russia mirrored Ukraine's volunteer tech surge with a 'People's VPK' and is deciding whether to subsume or partner with it.
- Official firms like Kalashnikov now contract to mass-produce volunteer designs.