Who could overtake Ukraine in ground robot race? Ukrainian officer weighs in
Photo: UGV in Ukraine (Getty Images)
Interest in unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) is growing worldwide. International partners are increasingly asking to see these systems, while many countries are setting up their own production. At the same time, Ukraine will have to work to maintain its edge as automakers and major defense companies enter the market, Viktor Pavlov, an officer with the UGV battalion of the 3rd Assault Brigade and founder of a UGV training school, said.
Pavlov hopes that recent UGV operations will further boost the prestige and recognition of these systems. According to him, international interest is increasingly shifting toward ground robots. Drones are more familiar to the world, and people are interested in them too, but now there's growing demand for UGVs, Pavlov said. Many countries are setting up their own production facilities.
Who could push Ukraine aside
According to Pavlov, "everyone will be pushing Ukraine aside."
Among the new players entering the market, he named automakers. He said they are launching product lines and entering the unmanned ground vehicle market. Major defense companies in various countries are also developing their own systems, he added.
Pavlov predicts that every automaker will soon have its own unmanned vehicle. He said they have sufficient resources to do so, as virtually any car can be converted into a UGV. Specialized military corporations are following the same path, he added, as each wants to include unmanned systems in its product portfolio.
To maintain their advantage, Ukrainian manufacturers should move into the market faster, form partnerships, expand internationally and establish joint production facilities, Pavlov said.
In his view, Ukraine has more experience in unmanned vehicle operation because it is gained in combat conditions, while foreign companies have greater access to resources.
