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Speech by the Ambassador of Ukraine in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Commander -in -Chief of the Armed Forces (2021–2024) Valery Zaluzhny at the Defense Technology Forum Ukraine – United Kingdom organized by Rusi.
April 25 2025
It is a great honor for me to be again in the walls of the British Analytical Center, which specializes in the problems of international security and military affairs. So, we will talk about them. Today it is important.
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First, apparently, each of those present in this hall realized that we live in global changes. The reason is not me, who commented this last year in the walls of Chatham House, but a number of factors that floated in the 21st century. And especially – the war in Ukraine, which has become not only the bloodiest act of violence in Europe, but also the driver of many forces that have led to a change in the world order. This change has already taken place. And it does not depend on whether modern politicians want to see it or not.
Secondly, in the world that has already changed and continues to change, at the request of the same politicians, the world security system has changed. It was transformed not only because the geopolitical space is changing, but also because the war in Ukraine has changed in Ukraine itself, at which this security system lasted.
You want to believe this or not, you have contracts for tanks and helicopters for the next 10 years or you are only planning to sign them, the nature of military force has already changed. It is a pity that this is well understood in Ukraine, Russia, China, but they do not understand in other places. What exactly, I will not say today. It doesn’t matter.
So, we will talk about modern military technologies. Who will be needed, except Ukraine, will obviously decide on politicians. I will only outline what they represent and how they work.
Although, I would also like to point out that they are now the most relevant to develop the defense capabilities of Europe. First of all, because of the reformatting of the Euro -Atlantic security space.
So, about technologies.
The Russian-Ukrainian war completely changed the nature of the war. One morning in the summer of 2023, when the Ukrainian troops, using accessible doctrines and weapons available, overcame the meter by the meter of enemy defensive lines, drones appeared in the sky, which led to the transformation of the entire combat architecture.
Intelligence, shock drones, drones that served the fire of artillery, united by a system of situational awareness, made the battlefield completely transparent. All this gave unlimited opportunities for high -precision strokes at a tactical level.
Gradually, like the First World War, this war came into a stupor. Even later, in 2024, the rapid development of scientific and technological progress led to a situation where the drones were affected not only at the front edge, but also in the operational depth. This made it impossible to find any equipment, firearms, reserves-even outside the front edge.
High -precision strokes on the paths of logistics have become a completely ordinary phenomenon today. Moreover, such blows are already part of the tactics of extrusion from the standpoint.
Thus, as a result of absolute transparency, a 10-15 kilometer zone of continuous death was formed in front of the front edge. It is no wonder when the drone hunts not for a group purpose or an armored person, but even a separate soldier. By the way, this area is constantly expanding, as it grows the likelihood of being destroyed there.
Why did this become possible? Once again, the reasons for this are:
First, the frantic development of the remedies of the HPs. It is thanks to the development of the HRS that the capacity of satellite technologies, radio and GPRS-chaired ammunition was possible to attach high precision shocks at the operational level. The efficiency of expensive rockets and high -precision shells has fallen to zero.
Secondly, a large number of visual intelligence and shock drones of tactical and operative levels appeared on the battlefield.
As a consequence, the tactics of use and operational art have undergone significant changes.
At the operational level, the war came to a dead end. Deep maneuvers or strokes at the operational depth became impossible. To a large extent, the fact that the confrontation between unmanned systems on the one hand and the means of HRs and air defense on the other continues. Therefore, classic offensive operations and offensive actions have not only lost their efficiency, but have become almost suicide.
Over time, even the offensive actions of small high -mobile and technologically equipped tactical groups, tightly coordinated with systems of situational awareness, support, HRB and Air defense, have become ineffective.
So you can say with confidence that:
It’s not just technology. All this requires a complete rethinking of forms and methods of use. As a result, the recycling of military doctrine. In turn, this will review the principles of the organization of the Armed Forces and, after all, defense planning.
How much time you need, dear ones, I do not know. I think that for our enemies this process will take no more than three years, and given the scaling – five.
Obviously, the victory on the battlefield now depends entirely on the ability to ahead the enemy in technological development. It is very important that the changes take place in the chain “Science (Development) – Production – Application”. Innovative development will depend on the effective relationship between them.
Manufacturers should be flexible and adaptive, ready to make changes to their hardware solutions at any time. If these hardware decisions are normalized by the state bureaucracy or corruption interests, the chain will break off and the enemy will be ahead. Therefore, it is necessary to be prepared to refine the products to the conditions of use on the battlefield. Of course, you need to pay attention to:
So we have to develop:
- shock drones that have proven exceptional efficiency, especially in the face of artillery ammunition deficiency;
- reconnaissance;
- anti -aircraft;
- landless unmanned systems;
- universal combat platforms;
- Marine unmanned systems5. Civilian technologies or dual -purpose technologies They have achieved such a level of complexity that today they form the basis of combat capabilities. Among them:
- use of commercial satellite systems in the interests of intelligence;
- the use of 3-D printing for the rapid production of spare parts and components of military equipment in “handicraft” conditions;
- use of social networks to collect reconnaissance data;
- creation of impromptu systems of EWS with commercially available components for muffling communications and driving drowns;
- the use of civilian messengers with cross -encryption for data exchange;
- Use of cloud solutions.
By the way, this is what small players with limited resources: individual countries, agencies and even units to achieve impressive results with relatively inexpensive asymmetric solutions.
As a conclusion, the revolution of military technologies on the basis of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence has completely changed the nature of war and continues to develop. Therefore, the speed of innovation innovation increases the state’s ability to achieve victory in the war.
Probably, in the future high -tech war, the one who adapts to the technological conditions of the battlefield is faster than the enemy. The side, which will be the first systematically and qualitatively transition to another military and technological level, will receive an unconditional strategic advantage and will comply with its will to the other side.
As long as the enemy has resources, strengths and means of strikes in our territory, attempting to take offensive action, he will do it. This is the war for exhaustion.
This is facilitated by the geopolitical situation today. After all, no one can prevent the enemy today.
To put this region can only the complete destruction of the very ability to wage war, that is, military and economic potential. The destruction of the latter, of course, question even the finding of the occupation troops in the occupied territory.
In any case, the architecture of the survival and victory strategy is only possible in the construction of a new military-technological system. All this should be done in the current technological cycle, which can last no more than 3-5 years.
In the international arena, the way out of the situation we are talking about today is not only an adaptation to new challenges, but in the formation of a new global security reality, to which Ukraine has already joined as an equal and active participant. Ukraine is no longer an object of support – we have become a source of experience, technologies and decisions that are of strategic importance for the entire civilized world.
It is not only a matter of support for Ukraine – it is a matter of common readiness for a new era of war, which is dominated by technologies, information and automation of decisions. Ukrainian experience was unique – we were the first to rebuild the army, industry and strategy in response to challenges that others are just beginning to be aware.
These challenges are not only for Ukraine. These are challenges for everyone. World security is no longer kept on old guarantees – it is built on dynamics, technologies and readiness to change. We made our choice and pay for it a high price every day, but instead got a chance to survive. And we invite you to make this choice with us. Not only to stand, but also to win. And not only today, but in everything that awaits ahead.
Valery Zaluzhny
A column is a material that reflects the author’s point of view. The text of the column does not claim the objectivity and comprehensive coverage of the topic that rises in it. The editorial board of “Ukrainian Truth” is not responsible for the accuracy and interpretation of the information provided and plays only the role of the carrier. The view of the UP editorial board may not coincide with the point of view of the author of the column.
”, – WRITE: www.pravda.com.ua
Speech by the Ambassador of Ukraine in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Commander -in -Chief of the Armed Forces (2021–2024) Valery Zaluzhny at the Defense Technology Forum Ukraine – United Kingdom organized by Rusi.
April 25 2025
It is a great honor for me to be again in the walls of the British Analytical Center, which specializes in the problems of international security and military affairs. So, we will talk about them. Today it is important.
Advertising:
First, apparently, each of those present in this hall realized that we live in global changes. The reason is not me, who commented this last year in the walls of Chatham House, but a number of factors that floated in the 21st century. And especially – the war in Ukraine, which has become not only the bloodiest act of violence in Europe, but also the driver of many forces that have led to a change in the world order. This change has already taken place. And it does not depend on whether modern politicians want to see it or not.
Secondly, in the world that has already changed and continues to change, at the request of the same politicians, the world security system has changed. It was transformed not only because the geopolitical space is changing, but also because the war in Ukraine has changed in Ukraine itself, at which this security system lasted.
You want to believe this or not, you have contracts for tanks and helicopters for the next 10 years or you are only planning to sign them, the nature of military force has already changed. It is a pity that this is well understood in Ukraine, Russia, China, but they do not understand in other places. What exactly, I will not say today. It doesn’t matter.
So, we will talk about modern military technologies. Who will be needed, except Ukraine, will obviously decide on politicians. I will only outline that they are a cathed They show, and how they work.
Although, I would also like to point out that they are now the most relevant to develop the defense capabilities of Europe. First of all, because of the reformatting of the Euro -Atlantic security space.
So, about technologies.
The Russian-Ukrainian war completely changed the nature of the war. One morning in the summer of 2023, when the Ukrainian troops, using accessible doctrines and weapons available, overcame the meter by the meter of enemy defensive lines, drones appeared in the sky, which led to the transformation of the entire combat architecture.
Intelligence, shock drones, drones that served the fire of artillery, united by a system of situational awareness, made the battlefield completely transparent. All this gave unlimited opportunities for high -precision strokes at a tactical level.
Gradually, like the First World War, this war came into a stupor. Even later, in 2024, the rapid development of scientific and technological progress led to a situation where the drones were affected not only at the front edge, but also in the operational depth. This made it impossible to find any equipment, firearms, reserves-even outside the front edge.
High -precision strokes on the paths of logistics have become a completely ordinary phenomenon today. Moreover, such blows are already part of the tactics of extrusion from the standpoint.
Thus, as a result of absolute transparency, a 10-15 kilometer zone of continuous death was formed in front of the front edge. It is no wonder when the drone hunts not for a group purpose or an armored person, but even a separate soldier. By the way, this area is constantly expanding, as it grows the likelihood of being destroyed there.
Why did this become possible? Once again, the reasons for this are:
First, the frantic development of the remedies of the HPs. It is thanks to the development of the HRS that the capacity of satellite technologies, radio and GPRS-chaired ammunition was possible to attach high precision shocks at the operational level. The efficiency of expensive rockets and high -precision shells has fallen to zero.
Secondly, a large number of visual intelligence and shock drones of tactical and operative levels appeared on the battlefield.
As a consequence, the tactics of use and operational art have undergone significant changes.
At the operational level, the war came to a dead end. Deep maneuvers or strokes at the operational depth became impossible. To a large extent, the fact that the confrontation between unmanned systems on the one hand and the means of HRs and air defense on the other continues. Therefore, classic offensive operations and offensive actions have not only lost their efficiency, but have become almost suicide.
Over time, even the offensive actions of small high -mobile and technologically equipped tactical groups, tightly coordinated with systems of situational awareness, support, HRB and Air defense, have become ineffective.
So you can say with confidence that:
It’s not just technology. All this requires a complete rethinking of forms and methods of use. As a result, the recycling of military doctrine. In turn, this will review the principles of the organization of the Armed Forces and, after all, defense planning.
How much time you need, dear ones, I do not know. I think that for our enemies this process will take no more than three years, and given the scaling – five.
Obviously, the victory on the battlefield now depends entirely on the ability to ahead the enemy in technological development. It is very important that the changes take place in the chain “Science (Development) – Production – Application”. Innovative development will depend on the effective relationship between them.
Manufacturers should be flexible and adaptive, ready to make changes to their hardware solutions at any time. If these hardware decisions are normalized by the state bureaucracy or corruption interests, the chain will break off and the enemy will be ahead. Therefore, it is necessary to be prepared to refine the products to the conditions of use on the battlefield. Of course, you need to pay attention to:
So we have to develop:
- shock drones that have proven exceptional efficiency, especially in the face of artillery ammunition deficiency;
- reconnaissance;
- anti -aircraft;
- landless unmanned systems;
- universal combat platforms;
- Marine unmanned systems5. Civilian technologies or dual -purpose technologies They have achieved such a level of complexity that today they form the basis of combat capabilities. Among them:
- use of commercial satellite systems in the interests of intelligence;
- Using 3-D printing for a quick VIN the heating of spare parts and components of military equipment in “handicraft” conditions;
- use of social networks to collect reconnaissance data;
- creation of impromptu systems of EWS with commercially available components for muffling communications and driving drowns;
- the use of civilian messengers with cross -encryption for data exchange;
- Use of cloud solutions.
By the way, this is what small players with limited resources: individual countries, agencies and even units to achieve impressive results with relatively inexpensive asymmetric solutions.
As a conclusion, the revolution of military technologies on the basis of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence has completely changed the nature of war and continues to develop. Therefore, the speed of innovation innovation increases the state’s ability to achieve victory in the war.
Probably, in the future high -tech war, the one who adapts to the technological conditions of the battlefield is faster than the enemy. The side, which will be the first systematically and qualitatively transition to another military and technological level, will receive an unconditional strategic advantage and will comply with its will to the other side.
As long as the enemy has resources, strengths and means of strikes in our territory, attempting to take offensive action, he will do it. This is the war for exhaustion.
This is facilitated by the geopolitical situation today. After all, no one can prevent the enemy today.
To put this region can only the complete destruction of the very ability to wage war, that is, military and economic potential. The destruction of the latter, of course, question even the finding of the occupation troops in the occupied territory.
In any case, the architecture of the survival and victory strategy is only possible in the construction of a new military-technological system. All this should be done in the current technological cycle, which can last no more than 3-5 years.
In the international arena, the way out of the situation we are talking about today is not only an adaptation to new challenges, but in the formation of a new global security reality, to which Ukraine has already joined as an equal and active participant. Ukraine is no longer an object of support – we have become a source of experience, technologies and decisions that are of strategic importance for the entire civilized world.
It is not only a matter of support for Ukraine – it is a matter of common readiness for a new era of war, which is dominated by technologies, information and automation of decisions. Ukrainian experience was unique – we were the first to rebuild the army, industry and strategy in response to challenges that others are just beginning to be aware.
These challenges are not only for Ukraine. These are challenges for everyone. World security is no longer kept on old guarantees – it is built on dynamics, technologies and readiness to change. We made our choice and pay for it a high price every day, but instead got a chance to survive. And we invite you to make this choice with us. Not only to stand, but also to win. And not only today, but in everything that awaits ahead.
Valery Zaluzhny
A column is a material that reflects the author’s point of view. The text of the column does not claim the objectivity and comprehensive coverage of the topic that rises in it. The editorial board of “Ukrainian Truth” is not responsible for the accuracy and interpretation of the information provided and plays only the role of the carrier. The view of the UP editorial board may not coincide with the point of view of the author of the column.