US glitchy, expensive UAVs for Ukraine fail to change course
4 Min Read
A report by the Wall Street Journal has revealed that the US has been supplying Ukraine with inadequate and easily defective drones.
-
Monday, March 25, 2024, a Russian soldier carries a captured Ukrainian drone restored and modernized by the military at an undisclosed location in Ukraine (AP)
The Wall Street Journal reported on the faulty nature of American UAVs that were sent to Ukraine to shift the tide in the war against Russia but ultimately failed.
According to the report, Silicon Valley company Skydio supplied the Ukrainian army with a fleet of drones to support the frontlines against Russian forces, however, due to Russia's advanced electronic warfare system, the drones malfunctioned, went off course, and got lost.
"The general reputation for every class of U.S. drone in Ukraine is that they don’t work as well as other systems," Skydio's CEO, Adam Bry, said, essentially saying their drones are not the best for battle.
Drone company executives have consistently noted that American-made drones have not proven to be reliable in combat, flunking sales and forcing the government to produce thousands of others as substitutions.
Ukrainians on the frontlines and in government have also criticized the more expensive price points US-produced drones encompass considering how easily they experience defects.
They also noted incidents during which the drones obstructed certain missions because they were not able to resist Russian jamming and interception systems, travel the needed distances [within allocated distances], or even take off.
The United States, in defense, claims that it did not expect the war in Ukraine to induce technological advancement. Skydio stated, in this context, that its drones were manufactured in 2019 to meet US standards of war.
Read more: Is Ukraine at an impasse in its war against Russia?
Ukraine turns to China
Ukraine was then forced to purchase tens of thousands of drones or spare parts from China, which stood at a lower price point for better quality, the report claimed.
Consequently, Ukraine was able to manufacture its own small UAVs to carry explosives or larger ones. It utilizes at least 10,000 drones per month, which would not have been sustainable if it were to purchase expensive and defective US-grown UAVs.
On Saturday, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Strategic Industries Anna Gvozdiar confirmed that Ukraine is ready to launch production of over 2 million drones of various kinds in 2024 as part of boosting the production of unmanned aerial vehicles.
It was also reported that the Luch Design Bureau located in Kiev designed a spy-and-attack drone that could fly for up to 3,300 kilometers and carry some 300 kilograms (660 pounds).
Chinese drone company SZ DJI has therefore been established as Ukraine's first choice for drone purchases. The company itself released a statement condemning the use of its products in war but said it could not control where and how its drones are employed post-sale.
"DJI absolutely deplores and condemns the use of its products to cause harm anywhere in the world," the company's statement said.
Read more: F-16 deliveries to Ukraine not silver bullet: NATO chief
Zelensky: Ukraine facing difficult frontline battles
Meanwhile, Ukraine has repeatedly warned of difficulties on the frontlines because of the severe military shortages, despite its recent production capabilities.
Last month, the Ukrainian military revealed it was grappling with severe deficits in its arsenal, specifically artillery, air defenses, and long-range weapons, that are not being balanced out due to the constant delay in the promised $60 billion military aid package by the United States.
"The situation is extremely difficult in several parts of the front line, where Russian troops have concentrated maximum reserves," Zelensky said following a field visit to troops in Kharkov. He added that these specific vulnerabilities are being exploited by Russian troops and giving them an advantage.
The Ukrainian army is also foreseeing possible defeats in other towns following the Avdiivka loss.
