At the DSEI-2025 exhibition in London, Ukrainian developments received high praise from international experts. However, as emphasized by retired General and Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, maintaining the initiative requires a clear strategy and international support.
Source: OBOZREVATEL
According to Zaluzhnyi, the technological component of war is becoming crucial for the future of combat. Analysis of events from 2023–2025 shows that traditional methods of warfare are losing effectiveness due to battlefield transparency and the widespread use of reconnaissance drones.
Ukrainian Developments at DSEI-2025
Ukrainian manufacturers showcased tactical drones, electronic warfare (EW) complexes, and AI-based systems for reconnaissance and strike purposes. The exhibition demonstrates a shift from “past-war” equipment to systems focused on networked sensor and strike integration.
New Challenges and Tactical Changes
The mass use of small FPV drones and EW systems has made defense more fragile, while large troop concentrations and traditional logistics have become vulnerable to reconnaissance and precision strikes. Positional warfare highlights the importance of mobilization and personnel training, without which large-scale maneuver breakthroughs are impossible.
Zaluzhnyi’s Proposals
To maintain an advantage, he suggests:
- Creating a national program for the development of advanced defense technologies;
- Engaging IT specialists and establishing research centers in close collaboration with the military;
- Ensuring access to microprocessors and critical components;
- Strengthening international coordination of defense exports and imports;
- Leveraging partnerships to form security alliances and limiting cooperation with adversaries in critical technologies.
Technological Competition of the Future
Zaluzhnyi emphasizes that systematic planning, rapid scaling of innovations, and the ability to seize technological initiative will be key to the resilience of Ukraine’s defense strategy. Otherwise, resource depletion and constant enemy pressure could jeopardize national security.