Increased drone warfare in Ukraine prompts reevaluation of helicopter tactics

In Milan, according to officials and issue experts, air defense and drone warfare are changing military helicopter tactics, emphasizing combat-support missions over the battlefield due to ground-based air defenses that make manned flight almost impossible. A former adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Serhii Kuzan, highlighted the shift in tactics in 2024, focusing on fire support and countering unmanned systems. The vulnerability of combat helicopters led to significant losses on the Russian side during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with a high number of Russian Aerospace Forces’ Ka-52 Hokum-B attack helicopters lost. Maj. Gen. Pierre Meyer of the French Army Light Aviation warned about the dangers of helicopter-based landing operations, emphasizing the need for strategic planning to avoid significant losses. Meyer also advocated for teaming helicopters with drones to enhance military capabilities. Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, emphasized the continued utility of rotary aviation in various conflict scenarios, suggesting an evolution towards stand-off weapons for increased effectiveness.