Ukrainian defense tech companies are developing AI-enabled drone systems to enhance autonomous operations and overcome Russian electronic warfare jamming.

Swarmer is developing software called Styx that links drones in a network, enabling swarms of 10-20 drones to be managed by AI with human oversight for strike authorization.

Ukrainian AI-enabled drone development focuses on visual target identification, terrain mapping for navigation, and swarm operations enabling UAVs to operate in interconnected groups.

Over 200 tech firms have sprung up since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, with civilians from IT backgrounds developing drones and other devices to help Ukraine counter a larger enemy.

AI is already being used in some of Ukraine's long-range drone strikes targeting military facilities and oil refineries hundreds of kilometres inside Russia, sometimes involving swarms of about 20 drones.

The need for AI-enabled drones is becoming more pressing as both sides deploy Electronic Warfare systems that disrupt signals between pilots and drones, with FPV drone hit rates falling to 30-50%.

AI-operated FPV drones could achieve hit rates of around 80% compared to current rates of 30-50%.

The cost of putting in a simple AI targeting system on a drone is estimated at about $150 per drone using Raspberry Pi computers.

Defence Vision Day brought together the best projects for the army based on virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies. Out of 55 submitted projects, 24 were selected for presentation.