Ukrainian Soldiers Turn to Remote-Controlled Armored Vehicles Amid Warfare

Strategic Insights -

Ukrainian soldiers on the battlefield are increasingly relying on remote-controlled armored vehicles, dubbed "robots on wheels," to perform various tasks and reduce the risk of life-threatening missions. The vehicles, made by Ukrainian companies, offer a cost-effective solution, with prices ranging from $1,000 to $64,000, depending on their size and capabilities. The use of these vehicles is particularly crucial as the Ukrainian army faces a shortage of soldiers in the ongoing war that has dragged on for over 3 1/2 years.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ukrainian army is deploying remote-controlled armored vehicles to perform tasks such as ferrying supplies, clearing mines, and evacuating the wounded or dead.
  • These vehicles are designed by Ukrainian companies and range in cost from $1,000 to $64,000, depending on their size and capabilities.
  • The use of remote-controlled vehicles is not new to warfare, with the German army using a similar vehicle called the Goliath in World War II, and other countries like the U.S., Israel, Britain, and China developing modern versions.
  • Ukraine's extensive deployment of these vehicles could lead to advances in this technology, according to Ben Barry, a fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
  • The Russian army also uses remote-controlled vehicles, but Ukraine's use of these vehicles is noteworthy due to their extensive deployment.
  • The vehicles are particularly useful in navigating terrain that would be difficult or too dangerous for soldiers, such as rubble or dirt roads.
  • The soldiers operating the vehicles are adapting the controls to work better in the face of Russia's electronic warfare.
  • The use of remote-controlled vehicles will only grow, with one soldier stating that "when FPV drones first appeared, they weren't popular, but those who pioneered them, (now) show (the best) results."
  • An autonomous vehicle can carry high loads and doesn't get tired, making it an asset on the battlefield.
  • The adoption of these vehicles is slowed by factors such as their speed, cost, and vulnerability to destruction.
  • The war provides real-time feedback that is incorporated into newer models being built, allowing for continuous improvement.

Statistics:

  • Price range of remote-controlled armored vehicles: $1,000 to $64,000
  • Size of the Ukrainian army's front line: 1,000 kilometers (620 miles)
  • Number of troops in Miami's platoon: 10
  • Weight of supplies carried by robotic vehicle: 200 kilograms (440 pounds)
  • Speed of robotic vehicle: six kilometers per hour
  • Cost of one robotic vehicle: roughly 400,000 hryvnias ($9,700)
  • Total cost of three or four destroyed robotic vehicles in a week: adds up significantly

Sources:

  • Hanna Arhirova, "Ukrainian soldiers turn to 'robots on wheels' in war against Russia," AP News, (no date provided)
  • Ben Barry, fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, cited in the article
  • Vasilisa Stepanenko and Yehor Konovalov, contributors to the report.