Ukrainian Veterans Boost Czech Drone Industry with Battlefield Expertise

(CNA, Prague, July 2, 2024) – A former Soviet military base in Central Bohemia, Czech Republic, no longer echoes with the roar of tank engines. Instead, the distinct hum of drones fills the air. Ukrainian veterans are now assisting in the testing and development of next-generation drones, with their practical combat experience becoming an invaluable asset to the Czech defense industry.

According to Radio Prague International, this vast military training area in Milovice, a town northeast of Prague, has been transformed into a drone testing ground. The research and development team behind the flight tests is the Czech drone manufacturer U&C, whose products are increasingly being adopted not only by Ukraine but also gaining favor among NATO allies.

● Ukrainian Combat Technology Introduced to Europe; First-hand Experience Irreplaceable

Pavel Bulant, Production Director at U&C and a retired Brigadier General of the Czech Army, stated that the company was founded with a clear mission: "to bring Ukrainian technology and combat experience to Europe."

He noted that U&C is one of Europe's fastest-growing drone manufacturers, with production capacity tripling in just a few years. Their products include reconnaissance drones, loitering munitions (a type of "suicide drone"), and interceptor drones. "From the very beginning, our biggest goal was to open the door to Europe, introduce Ukraine's experience to Western Europe, and help advance drone technology."

Bulant believes that no advanced laboratory can replace real battlefield experience. "We have a team of talented individuals from the Ukrainian battlefield, and they are crucial for drone research and development because they bring not only technical and operational experience but also first-hand tactical knowledge."

He recalled that when he left the army 13 years ago, drones were essentially just flying cameras. However, their importance has significantly increased over the past four years. These individuals provide extremely valuable knowledge that can be integrated into new tactics.

Bulant believes the Russia-Ukraine war has fundamentally changed the role of drones in modern warfare.

He said, "Drones are everywhere on the battlefield now. Today's battlefield is almost unimaginable without drones. They continuously provide real-time battlefield imagery, and both sides have a large number of drones searching for targets. In many areas, we are witnessing an 'drone versus drone' war."

He pointed out that it's not just the technology itself that has changed. Due to dwindling troop numbers and the persistent threat from enemy drones, military commanders have had to rethink their operational methods, relying more on relatively inexpensive drones for reconnaissance, attack, and support missions.

● War Alters Lives: Ukrainian Women Join Drone Operation Training

Inna, from Ukraine, began working with drones after the Russia-Ukraine war and subsequently came to work in the Czech Republic.

She recalled that before the war, she worked as a notary public, mediator, and university lecturer, with no military background. "But after Russia's full-scale invasion began, I wanted to find a job where I could use my abilities to help my country. And so, I became a drone operator."

Today, Inna's work includes testing new drones, training operators, and assisting with the certification process to meet NATO standards. Every drone must pass a series of tests before leaving the factory and taking flight. Although modern drones are increasingly complex, she believes that learning to operate them is not as difficult as many people imagine.

She said, "When someone encounters a drone for the first time, you need to explain everything to them, not just how to operate it, but also weather conditions, aerodynamics, and many technical details. The training includes theory and practice, usually taking about a month. In fact, even without any technical background, it's not difficult to learn how to operate a drone."

Inna personally witnessed the hardships Ukraine endured in the early stages of the full-scale invasion and hopes Europeans will understand that "security is never a given." The practical experience she and many of her colleagues have brought from Ukraine is now not only helping to build the next generation of drones but is also influencing Europe's new understanding of modern warfare. (Editor: Tang Shen-yang) 1150702

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