Summary of "Безліміт НРК. Як Україні масштабувати роботизовану війну | Подкаст ZBROYA"

Podcast Overview

The podcast episode from the Weapons project, organized in collaboration with the Ukrainian Council of Gunsmiths, focuses on the development, deployment, and scaling challenges of robotic complexes—unmanned ground vehicles and drones—in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict. The discussion features Oleksandr Yabchenko, head of the robotic complexes service of the Vovkyduvnchy battalion, and Maksym Vasylchenko, CEO of Tenkor and head of the Ukrainian Association of Robotic Forces.

Key Points

1. Demand and Supply Challenges

Demand for robotic systems to replace human tasks on the battlefield is extremely high and rapidly growing.
Supply struggles due to limited production capacity, lack of experienced manufacturers, and lengthy procurement and delivery timelines (averaging 3–4 months).
Fast-changing frontline conditions often render robotic tools outdated upon arrival, requiring adaptation and reconfiguration before deployment.

2. Operational Use and Roles of Robotic Complexes (NRCs)

NRCs perform a variety of roles including logistics, evacuation, reconnaissance, demining, fire damage, and sometimes combat roles such as kamikaze attacks.
Unmanned logistics is nearly indispensable due to the risks and inefficiencies of manned supply missions.
Losses of robotic systems are increasing because of enemy countermeasures, necessitating a large and sustainable inventory to maintain operations.

3. Production and Localization

Ukrainian manufacturers gained valuable experience in 2024 but face challenges scaling production due to unstable orders and limited financial resources.
The state finances about 90% of current NRC procurement, but budget constraints prevent meeting the army’s full needs. Estimates suggest Ukraine requires around 40,000 NRC units, potentially rising to 140,000 considering losses.
There is a critical need to localize production of key components such as motors, electronics, communication devices, tracks, and wheels to reduce reliance on Chinese imports and improve quality and supply security.
Cooperation with European partners is sought to produce components and systems locally, despite higher costs, as Europe is a trusted ally and source of advanced technology.

4. Technological and Tactical Evolution

The transition to unmanned warfare is compared to the historical impact of gunpowder, representing a fundamental shift in combat.
Communication systems like Starlink are essential but not universal solutions; multiple communication methods are necessary due to battlefield conditions.
Autonomy and AI-driven automation are future goals to reduce human operator workload and increase operational efficiency, though full autonomy is not yet realized.
Continuous feedback loops between operators, technicians, and manufacturers are crucial for iterative improvements and adapting to battlefield realities.

5. Institutional and Bureaucratic Issues

Feedback from the frontline is often informal due to the difficulty of filing formal complaints during wartime. New simplified defect report procedures help improve communication.
Codification and certification processes for new or modified equipment are slow (up to two months), delaying rapid adaptation to changing needs.
Deep integration between military users and developers is needed, including secure access to operational data for developers to improve AI and autonomy.
The Ukrainian Council of Gunsmiths plays a key role as an umbrella organization coordinating between manufacturers, the military, and the government to address regulatory and operational challenges.

6. International Cooperation and Export Potential

European countries, especially smaller neighbors of Russia and Ukraine, show growing interest in Ukrainian robotic technologies but face challenges in bureaucratic acceptance and understanding of these new tools.
Joint ventures and partnerships with European defense companies are in early stages, hindered by unclear procedures and slow institutional processes.
Exporting Ukrainian technologies and products is complicated by Ukraine’s non-EU status, limiting access to European grants and funding.
The vision is for Europe to mass-produce modular components (“LEGO blocks”) for unmanned systems that Ukraine can rapidly configure and deploy, benefiting both sides strategically and economically.

7. Market and Industrial Development

The current Ukrainian NRC market is rapidly growing, with many new manufacturers entering, though not all can scale effectively.
Competition drives improvement, but quality control becomes more challenging at scale.
Stable demand and orders are essential to motivate businesses to invest in production lines for components like motors and tracks.
The best technical experts are currently serving in the military, limiting available civilian expertise for manufacturing and development.

8. Future Outlook

Continued scaling, localization, and integration with European partners are essential to maintain Ukraine’s unmanned warfare advantage.
The combination of Ukrainian battlefield experience and European industrial capacity could accelerate innovation and production.
Overcoming bureaucratic hurdles and improving institutional frameworks will be critical to rapid deployment and adaptation of robotic systems.
There is optimism that unmanned systems will play a decisive role in Ukraine’s defense and eventual victory, with hopes for increasingly autonomous systems and more effective collaboration between military and industry.

Presenters and Contributors

Oleksandr Yabchenko – Head of Robotic Complexes Service, Vovkyduvnchy Battalion
Maksym Vasylchenko – CEO of Tenkor, Head of Ukrainian Association of Robotic Forces
Hosts and organizers from the Weapons project and Ukrainian Council of Gunsmiths