October 1, 2026
/ Collage by Channel 24
Ground-based robotic systems are increasingly being used on the front lines. In the future, they could take on a significant portion of the tasks currently performed by military personnel.
The next stage in the development of such systems could be autonomous vehicles capable of exchanging information with each other and making independent decisions. Vladislav Belbas, CEO of Ukrainian Armored Vehicles, stated this in an interview with Channel 24 , noting that much will depend not only on the technical capabilities of the systems but also on how the military will use them.
From auxiliary systems to autonomous complexes
According to the head of Ukrainian Armor, our military is adept at using available resources in creative ways, and the experience of a full-scale war has already demonstrated how the approach to unmanned systems is changing.
He cited the example of surface drones, which the company actively presented in Ukraine back in 2020. At that time, he said, the Navy didn’t have a clear understanding of what tasks they could be used for.
But when the great war began, resourcefulness and circumstances forced us to use these naval drones in such a way that we were able to displace the Russian fleet and drive it into Novorossiysk, from where they are now afraid to leave,
noted Vladislav Belbas.
A similar process is currently underway with the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Ukrainian units are already using ground-based robotic systems in conjunction with drones during combat operations.
In particular, he mentioned the operation of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, during which ground robotic systems and drones were used to encircle the enemy and take soldiers prisoner.
However, the development of NRC should include not only the improvement of the platforms themselves, but also the accumulation of practical experience in their use.
The next stage, he says, could be autonomous systems capable of exchanging information with each other. Such technologies, Belbas says, bring military technology closer to scenarios previously seen primarily in science fiction films.
“We’re already approaching the ‘Terminator’ movies, where the system will make decisions autonomously. This is the right vision. Unmanned systems should reduce the risk of injury to our military personnel,” concluded the CEO of Ukrainian Armored Vehicles.