According to the report, the rapid technological development, combined with extensive operational application, has changed both tactics and conditions on the battlefield. FOI describes that even technically limited systems have proven to be highly effective, provided that methods and tactics are adapted to their capabilities.
The pace of development is described as high. According to FOI, the entire chain from design to operational use occurs within weeks. Ukraine is reportedly focusing on increasingly replacing soldiers with remotely controlled vehicles for tasks considered particularly risky.
The report describes the Ukrainian battlefield as highly characterized by transparency, where UAVs are widely used for reconnaissance, target acquisition, combat, and damage assessment. This also affects other functions, such as medical care and logistics, which according to FOI constitute high-risk tasks in environments with a high degree of sensor surveillance.
Russia's production of military remotely controlled systems is also described as extensive. Among other things, it is reported that Russia plans to produce over 70,000 glide bombs in 2025. At the same time, both Ukraine and Russia are expected to start using UAVs with autonomous targeting capabilities on a larger scale during the fall and winter of 2025. According to official statements, decisions on effects will continue to be made by human operators.
The report notes that unmanned ground vehicles have so far played a limited role, but Ukraine plans to acquire 15,000 UGVs in 2025. Their use is now reported to be increasing.
FOI also highlights that factors such as weather, lighting conditions, and electronic warfare efforts affect the degree of battlefield transparency, and the need to adapt to these conditions is becoming increasingly important.