How Ukraine can help accelerate US defense technology

Excerpt

The U.S. stands at a critical juncture in its defense strategy. Despite our advanced drone technology, the nation risks falling behind in the rapidly evolving military revolution led by affordable and effective unmanned vehicle technologies.

The war in Ukraine has provided a real-world testing ground for cutting-edge drone and electronic warfare capabilities, much of it developed in the cauldron of battle. Joint ventures between American and Ukrainian companies could serve as a powerful pathway to harness this innovation, to scale production and to strengthen both nations’ defense ecosystems.

Joint ventures between U.S. and Ukrainian firms present a unique opportunity to bridge gaps in cost, production and technology development. Ukrainian companies have demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in designing cost-effective and combat-tested solutions. These innovations, born out of necessity, have shaped the battlefield in ways that American companies can learn from, adapt to and exploit.

Isaac “Ike” Harris, CDR USN (ret.), is an adjunct fellow at the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Rear Adm. (Ret.) Mark Montgomery is senior director at the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation and a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.