China Plans to Use Ground Robots to Replace Frontline Logistics Soldiers
According to a report by Reference News on April 29, the U.S. Defense News weekly website reported on April 25 that as the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is taking measures to transfer all frontline logistics tasks from soldiers to robots, Ukraine will sign a contract to purchase 25,000 unmanned ground vehicles in the first half of 2026, more than double the total for 2025.
Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed this goal after meeting with domestic unmanned ground vehicle manufacturers. He also announced that the Ministry of Defense has begun preparations to sign a contract for 2027 to stabilize long-term manufacturing channels.
Fedorov wrote on Facebook on April 18: “Unmanned ground vehicles perform important logistics and evacuation tasks on the front lines. In March alone, the military used them to carry out over 9,000 missions.”
He stated, “Our goal is for 100% of frontline logistics tasks to be completed by robotic systems.”
On April 23, Fedorov indicated that since January, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has spent over 14 billion hryvnias (approximately 300 million USD) to push more than 181,000 sets of drones, unmanned ground vehicles, and electronic warfare systems to the front lines through a digital procurement system. This system allows frontline troops to order equipment directly from domestic manufacturers.
Ukrainian President Zelensky stated during a speech on April 14, Weapons Manufacturers Day, that the Ukrainian military has carried out over 22,000 unmanned missions in the past three months, sparing many soldiers from the most dangerous tasks in the war.
Zelensky specifically mentioned one operation. He said that last summer, operators from a robotic strike unit of the 3rd Independent Assault Brigade captured a Russian fortified position in Kharkiv Oblast using only drones and unmanned ground vehicles.
In February of this year, Andriy Heritsenyuk, CEO of the Ukrainian "Brave 1" defense technology cluster, told Army Times reporters: “In the 'Brave 1' defense technology cluster ecosystem, we have about 300 ground unmanned vehicle companies, whereas in 2022, that number was zero.”
The "Brave 1" defense technology cluster is supported by the Ukrainian government to coordinate funding, testing, and frontline feedback for domestic and international manufacturers. (Translated by Qiu Fang)
Ukraine is transitioning frontline logistics tasks from soldiers to unmanned ground vehicles, planning to purchase 25,000 units by mid-2026. Defense Minister Mikhailo Fedorov emphasized that robotic systems should handle all logistics tasks. Since January, over 14 billion hryvnias have been spent on unmanned systems, with Ukrainian forces completing over 22,000 unmanned missions in the last three months.
- Ukraine plans to purchase 25,000 unmanned ground vehicles by mid-2026, doubling the previous year's total.
- Defense Minister Mikhailo Fedorov stated that 100% of frontline logistics tasks should be performed by robotic systems.
- Since January, Ukraine has spent over 14 billion hryvnias on unmanned systems and electronic warfare systems.
- Ukrainian forces conducted over 22,000 unmanned missions in the past three months, reducing risks for soldiers.
- The 'Brave 1' defense technology cluster now includes around 300 ground unmanned vehicle companies, up from zero in 2022.