Key Points – The US has not sent advanced military drones to Ukraine due to significant concerns over technology security and cost-effectiveness.
-Ukrainian officials report that US drone manufacturers like General Atomics are forbidden by Congress from supplying powerful drones over fears they could be shot down and the technology copied by Russia.
-Furthermore, many US-made drones have proven fragile and ineffective against Russian electronic warfare.
-Instead of relying on expensive American systems, Ukraine has excelled at adapting cheap, commercial drones for devastating asymmetric attacks, like the recent “Operation Spiderweb,” forcing the US Army to study Ukraine’s innovations to inform its own procurement strategy.
Why Doesn’t The US Send Drones to Ukraine?
Ukrainians and Russians have been playing leapfrog with each other over the war within a war—drones. The Russians will build a new drone that is ahead of everything else, and then, just days later, the Ukrainians will top them. Drone technology is advancing at a rate that is quicker than anyone thought possible.
Following Ukraine’s startling June 1 attack that used small drones to target and destroy Russia’s strategic long-range bombers, the US Army is learning from Ukraine.
The US has provided Ukraine with significant military aid, constituting billions of dollars, but has faced challenges in supplying drone technology effectively.
While Ukraine has received some US-made drones, Ukrainian officials have raised concerns about their fragility and limited performance against Russian electronic warfare capabilities, including jamming and GPS blackout technology.
Additionally, due to factors such as the rapid pace of drone technology, concerns about the cost of using high-value anti-drone systems against relatively inexpensive drones make the prospect of sending drones to Kyiv unlikely.
The US has also diverted anti-drone systems intended for Ukraine to the Middle East, and political factors, such as disagreements within the US administration, have also impacted the delivery of aid.
Valerii Borovyk, commander of the White Eagle strike drone unit, states that major US companies are unable to supply drones to Ukraine.
“I spoke with the vice president of General Atomics, who has very powerful drones. The Congress forbids them to supply drones to Ukraine because they can be shot down, captured by the Russians, and copied.
“How can you protect yourself from this? Polygraphs, a team, security protection, entering the market, but when you submit this documentation for approval by the Ministry of Defense, unfortunately, there may be moles there,” he said.
“That is, there is a danger everywhere to prevent the technology from being stolen, to prevent someone from passing the technical documentation to the enemy,” Borovyk added.
The US Is Studying Ukrainian Drone Warfare
General Randy George, Chief of Staff of the Army, said on June 2, a day after the drone attack, “Yesterday was an excellent example of just how quickly technology is changing the battlefield.
“We’ve seen this over the last couple of years that everybody talks about [Program Objective Memorandum] cycles and everybody talks about the program of record. I think that’s just old thinking,” at an AI conference hosted by the Special Competitive Studies Project.
“We’re going to have to be more agile. Drones are going to constantly change. We’re going to be playing a cat-and-mouse game with counter-UAS, so we’ll have to work through that to ensure we’re buying the right systems. We’re going to need a lot more agility in how we buy things.”
Ukraine Is Accomplishing Amazing Things With Cheap Drones
Despite challenges, Ukraine has demonstrated its capabilities in drone development and adaptation, pushing the US to rethink its approach to drone technology.
The US Army is taking lessons from Ukraine’s drone warfare, recognizing the rapid evolution of drone technology and the need for adaptable systems.
“It’s a transparent battlefield. That’s why in Ukraine you see troops deep down in bunkers or consistently moving,” said Brigadier General Steve Carpenter, training with the army at a base in Hohenfels, in the southern German state of Bavaria.
“You stop, you die.”
The US has provided counter-UAS systems, like the VAMPIRE, which uses laser-guided rockets to counter drones. Ukraine also uses US-provided technology, like proximity fuzes for missiles, to defend against Russian drones.
Ukraine’s June 1 attack included 117 cheap drones that were hidden on top of crates and took off straight from trucks to attack Russian aircraft. Ukraine estimates Russia’s losses in the attack will cost them $7 billion.
Ukraine is building its own drones and isn’t dependent on the US.
US Diversion of Anti-Drone Missiles
Recently, there have been reports that the US diverted 20,000 anti-drone missiles intended for Ukraine to the Middle East, citing a need for US force protection in that region.
Coupled with the news that President Trump has ordered the return of all US dependents and non-essential personnel from the Middle East, it means that those 20,000 anti-drone missiles will probably be needed sooner rather than later.
This does not mean the US has stopped providing all drone aid. However, the Ukrainians are doing just fine without more prevalent drone support by the United States.
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
Iran War
B-2 Bomber: How America Would Strike Iran
