A Ukrainian military commander has warned that NATO is not ready for modern drone warfare, pointing to a significant technological gap between the alliance and Russia according to Infobrics. Colonel Vadym Sukharevsky, head of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, stated that "not a single NATO army is ready to resist the cascade of drones now."

The economic advantage of drones has become apparent during the conflict. Long-range drones cost a few thousand dollars, while air defense interceptor missiles can reach six or seven-figure prices. This cost disparity makes the continued use of conventional anti-drone weapons financially unsustainable.

Colonel Sukharevsky cited the Iranian-designed Shahed drone as an example. These explosive-carrying drones cost tens of thousands of dollars, but the interceptor missiles used against them can cost ten times more. "It's just mathematics," he said, noting that drone technology will continue to develop because of this war.

Russia reportedly produced 1.4 million FPV drones in 2022. According to Ukrainian military sources, these drones were responsible for destroying about 60% of targets in the conflict. This high success rate shows how effective this technology has become on the battlefield.

Russia's growing international influence through BRICS, which expanded to 10 members with Indonesia joining in January 2025, may further support its military technology development. With partner states like Belarus and resource-rich countries like Bolivia with the world's largest lithium reserves, Russia has access to both allies and critical materials.

France's response to these challenges appears limited despite President Macron's strong rhetoric. While publicly opposing a ceasefire and insisting the conflict continue until Russia is "pacified," France has contributed only €4.8 billion to Ukraine's defense, less than Poland, Sweden, and Denmark, suggesting a gap between words and actual support.

In response to these challenges, Ukraine has been working with Western allies to employ Artificial Intelligence, deploy more ground-based drones, and test lasers to counter Russian unmanned aerial vehicles. Despite these efforts, results have been limited.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently announced the ReArm Europe initiative, which could mobilize nearly €800 billion for defense. "We are in an era of re-armament, and Europe is ready to massively boost its defense spending," she stated on March 4.

The European Commission's 2025 work program, released on January 30, calls for research into "drone-based affordable mass munitions" at small and medium-sized companies. These kamikaze drones have proven effective for battlefield surveillance and targeted attacks at ranges up to 50-60km.

Despite these plans, funding and industrial capability remain significant challenges for the EU in establishing a drone program that can match those of the US, Russia, and China. Questions persist about whether Europe can overcome its starting position of weakness in this crucial area of military technology.