Who Innovates Wins? Drones and Adaptation in the Ukraine War

Modern War Institute

John Amble

Government, News

4.7 • 798 Ratings

🗓️ 15 January 2023

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Ukrainian forces have been praised for their innovation efforts during their ongoing war with Russia, particularly with regard to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. But what has that innovation actually looked like? Is it principally about repurposing equipment, like commercial quadcopters, or is it more a function of implementation, like experimenting with new tactics? And how has Russian forces' own innovation compared? Most importantly, what effect has innovation had on battlefield outcomes? Sam Bendett, an adviser at CNA’s Strategy, Policy, Plans, and Programs Center and a member of CNA’s Russia Studies Program, joins this episode to discuss these questions and more.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This reconnaissance fire reconnaissance strike contour is the main defining element today of the war in Ukraine.
0:15.0	Both by the Ukrainians who were very successful in integrating drones with their artillery strikes, as well as the Russians.
0:23.3	And the question is, whether Russian bureaucracy, which already understands, for example, the
0:28.5	significance and the importance of using commercial quadcopters, whether this bureaucracy would
0:33.6	be able to get out of its own way.
0:36.9	Hey, welcome back to the Modern War Institute podcast.
0:39.8	I'm John Amble, editorial director at MWI, and on this episode, we're exploring innovation.
0:45.4	Specifically, we're assessing how well both Ukraine and Russia are adapting,
0:50.1	technologically and tactically, when it comes to the ways they use unmanned aerial vehicles,
0:55.6	drones, on the battlefield. To do so, I'm joined by Sam Bendett. He is an advisor at CNA's
1:02.0	Strategy Policy Plans and Program Center and a member of CNA's Russia Studies program. His
1:07.6	extensive research experience and his focus on Russian defense technology and on unmanned
1:12.4	systems, among other subjects, make him the perfect person to address some really important
1:17.6	questions.
1:18.6	To what extent are Ukrainian and Russian forces actively innovating in the ways they use drone
1:23.6	technology?
1:24.6	How do those innovation efforts on both sides compare with one another?
1:28.5	And what effect has all of this had on battlefield outcomes? It is a fascinating conversation,
1:33.8	but before we get to it, as always, a couple quick notes. First, if you're not yet subscribed to
1:38.3	the MWI podcast, you can find it on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, tune in, Spotify, or any other app.
1:44.2	And if you're enjoying it, please give it a rating or leave a review.
1:47.6	And second, as always, what you hear in this episode are the views of the participants
	...

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