Ukraine has been resisting Russia's full-scale invasion for over three years in what is now Europe's largest conflict since World War II. This war has reshaped not only Ukraine, but also the entire European security architecture.
One of Ukraine's major achievements is its so-called drone revolution. In 2024, the country produced about 2 million drones, 96% of them domestically. Ukrainian FPV drones are far cheaper than Russian military vehicles. Maritime drones like Magura and Sea Baby have forced Russia's Black Sea Fleet to retreat from Crimea, with a third of the fleet destroyed or damaged. Other cutting-edge Ukrainian drones now provide significant advantages on the battlefield.
Ukraine’s edge lies not only in technology but in its ability to rapidly scale up military manpower. Most EU and NATO countries, by contrast, have professional armies with shrinking reserves. For example, Germany’s Bundeswehr still hasn’t reached its target of 200,000 troops, and the British army is downsizing.
The war has spurred explosive growth in Ukraine’s defense sector, with hundreds of private firms, startups, and incubators joining in. Research and development are no longer limited to drones but now include artificial intelligence, robotics, and new weapons systems. The government and investors support flexible procurement and rapid fielding of new technology.
NATO countries in Europe need to accelerate arms procurement, invest in innovations, and expand not only weapons production but also munitions manufacturing. Dependency on the US must be reduced amid today’s global challenges.
Ukraine’s experience proves that victory in modern war depends not only on technology but also on rapid adaptation, effective procurement, resource mobilization, and tactical learning. Europe, working closely with Ukraine, stands a chance to enhance its security and military innovation.
