Mike Kofman, an expert on Russian military and security policy, discusses the evolution and impact of drones in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Topics include UAV technology advancements, the role of drones in military units, challenges of night operations, and considerations in drone warfare such as pilot skill and technology limitations.
Ukraine's early advantage in drone development over Russia driven by bottom-up innovation.
Diverse types of drones used in conflict zones for reconnaissance, bombing, and strike missions.
Manpower-intensive drone units require precision, adaptability, and coordination for operational success.
Deep dives
Evolution of Drone Usage in the Russia-Ukraine War
Drones have played a crucial role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, evolving from commercial UAVs to specialized strike drones. Initially, Ukraine had an advantage in UAV development, being more adaptable and innovative compared to Russia. The development of drones was a bottom-up process, driven by individuals on the ground who shared information through platforms like WhatsApp. Over time, Ukraine integrated tactical and strike drones into their brigades, while Russia lagged behind but eventually started catching up by procuring commercial UAVs.
Variety of Drone Categories Used in Combat
Drone units in the conflict zone typically comprise different types of drones for reconnaissance, bombing, and strike missions. These include commercially available drones like Mavics or Matrice used for ISR purposes, heavy multi-rotor drones such as R18s for heavier bombing operations, fixed-wing strike drones, and wing drones for ISR missions at higher altitudes. Traditional strike drones like Bayraktar TB2 and Orion had limited roles due to coordination issues and being easily targeted.
Complexity of Drone Unit Composition and Operations
Drone units in brigades and battalions operate with a mix of piloting teams, technicians, munitions specialists, and support personnel. The composition varies based on the type of drone operations, with each unit having specific roles and responsibilities. The manpower-intensive nature of drone operations requires precision, adaptability, and coordination within the units. Different units utilize modified commercial drones, with varying levels of enhancements and improvisations to meet operational requirements.
Advantages of FPVs
FPVs provide a cost-effective solution to compensate for the lack of artillery ammunition, allowing units to have organic firepower. FPVs offer a unique complementary role to artillery, being able to operate in fortified areas with static front lines. They have longer range capabilities compared to other systems, making them particularly useful in specific parts of the front. Despite limitations in ammunition and accuracy rates, FPVs are valued for their ability to hit targets at longer ranges.
Limitations of FPVs
FPVs face challenges such as line-of-sight limitations due to terrain, signal interference issues in congested areas, and weather conditions affecting their operational effectiveness. Battery power constraints and non-standardized components impact FPV performance. Piloting skills and munitions standardization play crucial roles in accuracy rates, with FPVs often lacking effectiveness against heavily armored targets like tanks. Contextual factors in conflicts can significantly influence FPV utility and highlights the evolving nature of drone technology in modern warfare.
This deep and fascinating conversation is one of a two-part discussion that you can listen to on the Russia Contingency, a members-only podcast hosted by Michael Kofman. Become a member here: https://warontherocks.com/membership
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
