In terms of drones, higher speed means more security

80% of the losses in Russia’s war against Ukraine are attributable to UxS operations. However, only about 2% of European military spending goes to unmanned technologies. Kateryna Mykhalko, Managing Director of New Age Defence, pointed out this discrepancy in her opening speech at the eponymous event in Berlin. The message: The future of modern defense strategies lies in unmanned systems. And Europe should accelerate its efforts in this area.

In recent years, an avant-garde of innovative defense tech companies has emerged, aiming to significantly shape the future of unmanned systems for NATO and the EU. In addition to concrete contracts from the Bundeswehr and other Western armed forces, as well as substantial investment and participation capital, the companies cooperating under the umbrella of „New Age Defence“ are united by their close ties with civilian and military partners in Ukraine.

The future of modern defense strategies

For the premiere of the new flagship event, New Age Defence, a coalition of leading European defense tech companies brought together guests from politics, industry, the military, and finance in Berlin two days before the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA). The goal was to discuss what the (unmanned) future of modern defense strategies could, or rather should, look like.

In Hangar 6 of the historic Tempelhof Airport, there was a discussion about what the (unmanned) future of military concepts and strategies should look like

The necessity of understanding unmanned systems on land, at sea, and in the air as an integral part of military concepts, and of integrating them across the various branches of the armed forces, was largely undisputed among the nearly 800 attendees. There was also a strong consensus on possible ways to achieve this goal and to stay a decisive step ahead of potential adversaries. However, how concrete action can be taken from this understanding remained rather vague despite the presence of many prominent speakers and clear demands from the undoubtedly self-assured industry.

Creating capacities to remain responsive

Clarity is exactly what is needed to build manufacturing capacity and supply chains so that Europe can be operational in the event of an emergency. Given the rapid development cycles and the global race for the most efficient technologies, stockpiling in unmanned systems is only partially sensible. Therefore, the focus was primarily on how suitable production capacities can be created and maintained to remain ready and capable of action at all times.

Especially the contributions from representatives of the Ukrainian armed forces in the high-profile speaker lineup made it clear what is lacking most: time. Ultimately, it’s not just about the speed at which decisions need to be made and implemented now. It’s about continuous momentum at all levels. Innovation, production, implementation, further development, operational tactics, networking: only those who stay a step ahead of the opponent in all areas can succeed in this potentially deadly race.

Operational know-how meets production experience

The good news is that the combination of Ukrainian expertise in drone deployment and the resulting continuous optimization of existing technologies, on the one hand, and European experience and capacity in industrial production, on the other, offers plenty of opportunities. These must be seized and used consistently. A prerequisite for this is rethinking the relationship between military and civilian products, as Ukrainian Staff Sergeant Vasyl Arbuzov demanded. Innovations from private and commercial UAS usage must be structurally integrated into the operational concepts of military and security authorities, rather than being accepted only on a case-by-case basis.

Sven Weizenegger, head of the Cyber Innovation Hub of the German Armed Forces, reported in a conversation with Kateryna Mykhalko about current and future innovation processes within the German military

After all, it has often been simple designs, optimized for maximum operational efficiency, or even basic „hobby drones“ that are in use on the side of the Ukrainian armed forces. Pragmatism, ingenuity, speed, and consistency in implementation: the direction is clear. Now Europe must take action. The central message from New Age Defence was that the UxS industry is ready for this.