In a pivotal meeting held in Kyiv under the leadership of Rustem Umerov, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the significance of technology in modern warfare took centre stage.

Attended by military representatives from over 30 nations within the IT coalition of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine, the gathering showcased Ukraine’s commitment to leveraging innovation for strategic advantage in the ongoing conflict.

Minister Umerov’s resounding assertion, “Technology will win the war,” resonated throughout the proceedings. He highlighted the imperative nature of asymmetric responses through innovative technological solutions.

Recognising the scale and industrial might of adversaries, Umerov emphasised the critical role of technological prowess in countering traditional mobilisation tactics, paving the way for a more effective defence strategy.

He said “We invent technologies, test them, and scale them. And with your help, we will be able to do this faster and more,” the minister addressed the event participants.”

Deputy Minister of Defense Kateryna Chernogorenko highlighted the IT coalition’s mission to provide a robust digital infrastructure essential for deploying cutting-edge technological solutions.

She urged the global community to recognise Ukraine as a testing ground for military innovations, offering unparalleled expertise and platforms crucial to shaping victories in what she termed as the “technology war.”

“Ukraine has actually already become a combat platform for testing a number of military solutions. I want to encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.

“The whole world must be ready to use technology in any war. Ukraine has the opportunity to provide you with this expertise, these capabilities, and these platforms so that you become part of our victory. Victory in the war of technology,” Chernohorenko said.

A significant highlight of the meeting was the demonstration of Ukraine’s homegrown DELTA situational awareness system, developed by the Defense Technology Innovation and Development Center. The system’s successful integration on the battlefield showcased its pivotal role in enhancing reconnaissance and accelerating decision-making processes.

Major Elizaveta Boyko, the brains behind DELTA, emphasised the transformative impact of technology on modern warfare. She stressed the urgency of creating top-tier IT products tailored to military needs.

“There is no chance to win on the battlefield without them. We understand that we must create the highest quality IT products for the military needs as quickly as possible. Therefore, we use our resources and involve partners,” she said during her speech.

The event also outlined Ukraine’s specific requirements from its IT coalition partners, focusing on tactical-level communications equipment and infrastructure modernisation within the Ministry of Defense.

Estonia and Luxembourg, as key leaders within the IT coalition, encouraged other nations to join this strategic initiative aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defence through advancements in IT, communication, and cyber security. With six countries actively engaged and Iceland set to join soon, the coalition’s scope and influence are steadily growing.

As Ukraine continues to navigate the complexities of modern warfare, its emphasis on technological innovation stands as a beacon of hope and strategy.

Read more: The Collective Defence AI Fusion Center (CDAIC), aligning with Ukraine’s strategic vision, emphasises the critical role of harnessing innovation for the nation’s recovery and resilience.