Analysis: How Ukraine’s Agile Warfare Model Shapes NATO Military Modernization.

At the inaugural LANDEURO event organized by the Army Sustainment University on July 17, 2025, in Wiesbaden, Germany, a key session titled “Ukrainian Innovation at the Speed of Relevance” provided an in-depth perspective on the technological transformation underway within the Ukrainian armed forces. The discussion brought together defense industry experts, military representatives, and technology innovators to examine how Ukraine is accelerating the development of military solutions in direct response to battlefield demands. The objective was not simply to assess the current state of innovation but to demonstrate how the Ukrainian approach could redefine operational standards for NATO forces.
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At the core of the discussions, participants emphasized the remarkable adaptability of Ukrainian industry and military units working closely together to meet frontline requirements (Picture source: Ukrainian MoD)

At the core of the discussions, participants emphasized the remarkable adaptability of Ukrainian industry and military units working closely together to meet frontline requirements. A significant focus was placed on the integration of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems in military operations. Speakers highlighted Ukraine’s ability to rapidly design and deploy FPV drones (First Person View), loitering munitions, and autonomous systems built from 3D-printed components, open-source mapping tools, and embedded AI modules. These systems are designed to identify, track, and engage targets even in environments heavily contested by electronic warfare.

Sebastian Kuhl, Director of Land Sales at Helsing, noted that faced with the high costs of complex sensors such as gimbals, Ukrainian engineers favor embedding AI algorithms directly onboard drones. This approach enables image stabilization and automatic target recognition without relying on costly and fragile mechanical devices. This "software-first" strategy supports better scalability of capabilities at lower costs, which is critical for a military operating under resource constraints.

Another topic addressed during the session was digital finance and disintermediation mechanisms used to support the war effort. Speakers explained how Ukraine has circumvented traditional financial and procurement systems through the use of cryptocurrency and crowdfunding. These methods help bypass administrative delays, allowing for the rapid funding and delivery of equipment directly to the frontlines. This alternative procurement strategy was presented as a model of financial agility under wartime conditions that may hold relevance for Western forces.

Yaroslav Azhnyuk, CEO of TheFourthLaw, stressed the advantages of software over hardware, explaining that the scalability of software solutions enables rapid deployment of updates and new capabilities in the field without requiring the replacement of physical platforms. Ukrainian-developed software modules are designed to be adaptable across various platforms, from FPV drones to autonomous ground vehicles. Azhnyuk described massively scalable autonomy as the most decisive defense technology of this decade while reaffirming that final engagement decisions remain under human control.

In the context of Ukraine's industrial efforts, drone production has undergone significant development. In 2024, nearly 2 million drones were manufactured domestically, including over 1.5 million FPV drones, many equipped with autonomy kits such as the ZIR module. This module enables low-cost drones to automatically recognize targets, such as armored vehicles or artillery, over distances exceeding 1 kilometer and to pursue moving targets at speeds of up to 60 km/h. This type of equipment reflects Ukraine's capability to combine affordable hardware with advanced software functionalities.

The session also shared insights on the Ukrainian military's innovative doctrine, which now favors modular systems and incremental approaches rather than complex, lengthy, and expensive developments. This doctrine translates into the progressive integration of autonomous features on existing platforms, such as last-phase autonomous navigation that enables drones to continue toward their targets even under communication jamming, as well as automated reconnaissance and fire correction functions.

The session concluded with a shared observation: Ukraine's approach presents a practical model of adaptability and pragmatism for NATO forces. Instead of pursuing perfect or technologically ambitious solutions that may prove unrealistic in wartime, Ukraine favors rapid experimentation, continuous field feedback, and iterative development. This innovation culture, driven by immediate operational needs, constitutes a unique operational laboratory for Western alliances that may soon face environments characterized by electronic warfare, drone swarms, and pervasive artificial intelligence.

Discussions at LANDEURO demonstrated that military innovation lies not solely in the sophistication of equipment but in the capacity to industrialize adaptable solutions rapidly, supported by innovative financial models and an agile ecosystem. Ukraine's case, shaped by the conditions of a war of attrition, may well define the path for modern armed forces facing future threats.