Unmanned systems as a separate service: Zelensky orders review of drone forces for Ukraine

A new development is emerging, probably triggered by the ever more intense “War of Drones” in Ukraine: in a decree of 6 February, President Volodymyr Zelensky instructed Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers to examine, together with the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, whether units operating unmanned systems should be established as a separate branch of the armed forces.

According to Zelensky, the findings are to produce proposals for submission to Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council. The aim is for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to make even better use of unmanned and robotic systems in the air, at sea and on land than they already do, and to better ensure their readiness for their intended purpose.

The plan is backed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov: “Creating a new armed service would be an important step in the development of the Ukrainian army. It would lead to new doctrines, practices and scenarios of employment, planning, orders, new approaches and, subsequently, new technologies.” In his words, unmanned systems have already rendered many valuable services to Ukraine in its defensive fight against Russia. “The next steps of the Unmanned Systems Forces are to gain further experience and to grow in size. To victory!”

What defines an armed service for unmanned systems

An armed service is characterised by specific methods of combat employment and its own operational art, technology and tactics. Initially, services existed only for two domains of warfare, namely combat on land and at sea. Later came marines, air forces, space forces, coast guards and cyber warfare – and now, probably for the first time, drone forces as well.

How far an army is divided into services depends not least on its size. In very large armed forces, such as the US armed forces, each service has its own secretary.