Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov called on private firms and engineers in Lviv to join an “Army of Robots” initiative. The plan seeks to shift dangerous frontline tasks away from soldiers through investment and trials with the military. His high estimate for drone use is his own claim; the venture’s budget, partners and rules for robots making attack decisions have not been disclosed.
Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced an Army of Robots initiative at the IT Arena technology conference in Lviv, western Ukraine. He is looking for private defence technology firms and engineers to develop machines for dangerous battlefield jobs. The project is meant to move beyond isolated prototypes through investment and tests with the military; it is an invitation to build, not a fielded robot force.[1], [2]
Fedorov points to Ukraine’s drone industry as a model for the new venture. He says more than 700 manufacturers operate in the country and drones are used in over 95 percent of target engagements. Neither figure comes with a defined period or set of operations in the account. His plan would invest in companies, start its own projects and test working systems with military units before attempting broad deployment.[1], [2]
The proposed jobs range from moving supplies and evacuating wounded troops to placing sensors and entering hazardous positions. Fedorov’s presentation also imagines humanoid machines, but the robots shown in a promotional trailer are not described as ready for combat. The announcement leaves the funding terms, engineering partners and level of control over any attack decision unspecified. For now, the operational systems behind Fedorov’s comparison remain drones.[1], [2]
