Ukraine has secretly proceeded with its planned production of an “army of robots” to gain a tactical advantage against Russia. About 250 local defense startups have reportedly begun building killer machines and unmanned medical evacuation platforms for use by Kyiv’s forces on the frontline. Some of them converted abandoned warehouses into headquarters, while others utilized secret locations that typically look like car repair shops. In August 2023, the Ukrainian government signified its intention to build an “army of robots” after seeing the success of its drone army.
Odyssey: Ukrainian entrepreneur Andrii Denysenko runs a startup that produces a car-sized unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) called the Odyssey. He told The Associated Press that his company can produce one UGV in four days at a price tag of $35,000. Weighing 800 kilograms (1,750 pounds), the Odyssey resembles a small, turretless tank with its wheels on tracks. It can travel up to 30 kilometers on one charge and be fitted with a remotely-operated heavy machine gun to support combat missions. The UGV can also serve as a rescue-and-supply platform. “We are fighting a huge country and they don’t have any resource limits. We understand that we cannot spend a lot of human lives,” Denysenko said. “War is mathematics.”
Expected to Increase: The apparent success of robotic systems in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has fueled the proliferation of defense technology startups. Earlier this year, Kyiv’s defense ministry said drone production in the country surged as over 200 companies got involved in the sector in 2023. The same feat is expected in the UGV sector this year, especially as Ukraine expedites the deployment of military robotic platforms.
