{"id":98889,"date":"2026-08-19T12:42:49","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T09:42:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/?post_type=insights&#038;p=98889"},"modified":"2026-08-19T13:37:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T10:37:22","slug":"can-europe-afford-expensive-platform-warfare","status":"publish","type":"insights","link":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/insights\/can-europe-afford-expensive-platform-warfare\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Europe afford a war of expensive platforms? DevDroid co-founder on the cost of modern warfare"},"content":{"rendered":"        <div class=\"wp-block-thdfndr-audio is-minimalist\">\n            <audio src=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/devdroid-oped-en.mp3\" class=\"thdfndr-native-node\" style=\"display: none;\" preload=\"metadata\"><\/audio>\n            <div class=\"thdfndr-audio-wrapper\">\n                \n                <button class=\"audio-play-control\" aria-label=\"Play Audio\">\n                    <span class=\"audio-play-icon-wrapper\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"currentColor\"><path d=\"M19.376 12.4161L8.77735 19.4818C8.54759 19.635 8.23715 19.5729 8.08397 19.3432C8.02922 19.261 8 19.1645 8 19.0658V4.93433C8 4.65818 8.22386 4.43433 8.5 4.43433C8.59871 4.43433 8.69522 4.46355 8.77735 4.5183L19.376 11.584C19.6057 11.7372 19.6678 12.0477 19.5146 12.2774C19.478 12.3323 19.4309 12.3795 19.376 12.4161Z\"\/><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"audio-meta-text\">\n                        <span class=\"audio-label-listen\">Listen<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"audio-duration-node\" data-unit=\"min\">(&#8211;)<\/span>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                \n                <div class=\"audio-volume-container\">\n                    <div class=\"audio-volume-slider-wrapper\">\n                        <input type=\"range\" class=\"audio-volume-slider\" min=\"0\" max=\"1\" step=\"0.05\" value=\"1\" aria-label=\"Volume Level\">\n                    <\/div>\n                    <button class=\"audio-volume-trigger\" aria-label=\"Volume\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"currentColor\"><path d=\"M2 16.0001H5.88889L11.1834 20.3319C11.2727 20.405 11.3846 20.4449 11.5 20.4449C11.7761 20.4449 12 20.2211 12 19.9449V4.05519C12 3.93977 11.9601 3.8279 11.887 3.73857C11.7121 3.52485 11.3971 3.49335 11.1834 3.66821L5.88889 8.00007H2C1.44772 8.00007 1 8.44778 1 9.00007V15.0001C1 15.5524 1.44772 16.0001 2 16.0001ZM23 12C23 15.292 21.5539 18.2463 19.2622 20.2622L17.8445 18.8444C19.7758 17.1937 21 14.7398 21 12C21 9.26016 19.7758 6.80629 17.8445 5.15557L19.2622 3.73779C21.5539 5.75368 23 8.70795 23 12ZM18 12C18 10.0883 17.106 8.38548 15.7133 7.28673L14.2842 8.71584C15.3213 9.43855 16 10.64 16 12C16 13.36 15.3213 14.5614 14.2842 15.2841L15.7133 16.7132C17.106 15.6145 18 13.9116 18 12Z\"\/><\/svg>\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Today, the two-day DALO Industry Days 2026 conference has kicked off in Denmark, with many Ukrainian defence companies taking part. One of them is DevDroid, a Ukrainian manufacturer of UGVs, robotic turrets and components.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ahead of the conference, the company\u2019s co-founder Oleh Prots prepared a column for Defender Media on cost efficiency in defence. He argues that cost is becoming just as important a characteristic of a weapon as range, accuracy or protection \u2014 and that it is in Europe\u2019s interest to realise this as soon as possible.<\/strong><br><br>For decades, the technological superiority of armies was determined primarily by large platforms \u2014 tanks, artillery systems, aircraft and air defence systems. Defence doctrines, government weapons programmes and production strategies of major defence companies were built around them. Today, this approach is changing under the influence of the war in Ukraine. It has shown that the high cost and technological sophistication of an individual platform no longer guarantee an advantage on the battlefield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A modern tank costing millions of dollars can be damaged or destroyed by several relatively cheap FPV drones. At the same time, a dozen more affordable robotic systems performing routine combat and logistics tasks can deliver a greater overall effect than a single extremely expensive vehicle. This is especially true when tasks must be performed every day across multiple parts of the frontline and under conditions where equipment losses are inevitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is why the concept of cost efficiency \u2014 the ratio of combat effect achieved to resources spent \u2014 is increasingly becoming part of the conversation. It expands the traditional understanding of weapons effectiveness, which for a long time was defined primarily by range, calibre, speed, protection and power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mass-produced systems as a separate level of capability<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clearly, armoured vehicles, artillery and aviation remain necessary and, in many cases, irreplaceable. At the same time, they cannot economically or physically cover the entire range of daily tasks on the battlefield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Delivering ammunition, evacuating wounded soldiers, reconnaissance, mining, fire support and operations in the most dangerous areas require large numbers of systems. This is where compact aerial, ground and maritime robotic systems are becoming increasingly important. They can be mass-produced, deployed in large numbers, repaired quickly and replaced. They allow militaries to achieve significant combat effects at a lower cost, while the loss of a single system does not stop a mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is why even manufacturers that have focused on complex and expensive weapons systems for decades are now expanding their portfolios with mass-produced solutions. For example, Rheinmetall, best known for its armoured vehicles and artillery, has launched serial production of HERO loitering munitions under licence from Israeli company UVision Air. In 2026, the German giant also unveiled its own FV-014 kamikaze drone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Rheinmetall demonstrates FV-014 launch from Containerized Missile Launcher\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zaywUCWOGg8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FV-014 loitering munition launched from a truck. Video: Rheinmetall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The cost of a weapon should match the mission<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The war in Ukraine has shown that an army\u2019s ability to fight for years depends on a continuous supply of systems that match current battlefield conditions and needs. That is why, based on our painful experience, allies are increasing defence budgets to ensure they can maintain a high operational tempo in the event of escalation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But increasing budgets alone does not guarantee the desired result. If additional funding is directed only towards very expensive systems that take years to produce and arrive in limited quantities, Europe risks ending up with technologically advanced but too-small capabilities that will not be sufficient for a prolonged and, crucially, asymmetric war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The example of Patriot interceptor missiles is telling. In 2025, production of PAC-3 MSE missiles reached a record 620 units. At the same time, according to open-source estimates, during the first 96 hours of large-scale Iranian attacks, the US and its partners used more than 800 Patriot interceptors of various modifications against missiles and drones. The gap between the production rate of expensive interceptors and the potential scale of their use during intense combat is obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/droyidy-vid-devdroid-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-98873\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/droyidy-vid-devdroid-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/droyidy-vid-devdroid-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/droyidy-vid-devdroid-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/droyidy-vid-devdroid-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/droyidy-vid-devdroid.webp 1672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">DevDroid&#8217;s UGVs. Photo by manufacturer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This problem becomes particularly acute when scarce missiles are used against relatively cheap <a href=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/tags\/shaheds\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/tags\/shaheds\/\">Shahed<\/a>-type strike drones. The complexity and cost of countermeasures should correspond to the nature of the threat and the expected result: expensive interceptors should be reserved for targets for which there is no effective alternative, while mass attacks involving cheaper systems should be countered with more affordable solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question of whether a system\u2019s cost matches the nature of the threat applies at every operational level. For example, delivering ammunition to the frontline does not always require a large protected vehicle with a crew. For medical evacuation, key factors include mobility, payload capacity, range and the ability to safely return from the engagement zone. In reconnaissance, mining, demining and fire support, the choice of platform should likewise be determined by the specific mission requirements \u2014 the necessary range, payload capacity, mobility, level of protection and acceptable cost of deployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ukrainian cases: combat results at lower cost<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Real-world combat cases in Ukraine confirm this logic. During one operation, our <a href=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/2025\/08\/ugv-droid-on-field-tests\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/2025\/08\/ugv-droid-on-field-tests\/\">Droid TW 12.7 UGV<\/a> destroyed an enemy MT-LB along with its crew. The relatively compact robotic platform, equipped with a 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, achieved a combat effect against a significantly heavier armoured target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/droid-tw-12.7-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-98875\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/droid-tw-12.7-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/droid-tw-12.7-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/droid-tw-12.7-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/droid-tw-12.7-1536x865.webp 1536w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/droid-tw-12.7.webp 1798w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Droid TW 12.7 UGV. Photo by manufacturer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A similar cost asymmetry between the weapon and the target can be seen in the air. The Ukrainian Shrike 10 FPV drone <a href=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/2026\/07\/shrike-vs-mi-28\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/2026\/07\/shrike-vs-mi-28\/\">hit a Russian Mi-28 attack helicopter<\/a>. The subsequent fate of the Mi-28 has not been publicly confirmed, but the case itself clearly demonstrates the difference between the cost of the weapon and the potential value of the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This asymmetry is even more pronounced at sea. Ukrainian <a href=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/tags\/sea-drones\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/tags\/sea-drones\/\">naval drones<\/a> have been used to strike and destroy significantly larger Russian warships. There are already dozens of such cases. We can see how relatively compact unmanned systems can pose a threat to large and expensive naval platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-left wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/2026\/06\/sea-drones-story\/\"><strong>Read more:<\/strong> Naval drones became a game-changer in the Black Sea. Now European countries are waiting for a chance to buy them<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is also worth highlighting cases where the effect is achieved through the interaction of different robotic systems. During an operation on the Kinburn Spit, an unmanned surface vessel delivered a <a href=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/tags\/ugv\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/tags\/ugv\/\">ground robotic system<\/a> equipped with a Wolly 7.62 combat module to the occupied coast. This combination made it possible to divide the mission into stages between platforms, each adapted to its own environment and specific function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another example is a robotic assault in which a Droid TW 12.7 UGV operated together with <a href=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/tags\/uav\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/tags\/uav\/\">UAVs<\/a>. The ground system delivered the initial fire strike against the enemy position, after which aerial drones completed the engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These operations show that effectiveness also depends on how well different robotic systems are integrated. Ground, aerial and maritime platforms can perform different stages of the same mission, complementing each other\u2019s capabilities while reducing overall costs and risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A new logic for defence procurement<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Europe needs to assess future <a href=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/tags\/procurement\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/tags\/procurement\/\">procurement<\/a> based on how well its arsenal matches the real tempo and nature of modern warfare. A multi-layered model makes it possible to preserve complex platforms for missions where their capabilities are critical, while using mass-produced robotic systems for routine operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cost is becoming just as important a characteristic of a weapon as range, accuracy or protection. Europe\u2019s ability to withstand a prolonged confrontation will depend on how quickly this criterion is incorporated into procurement and defence planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/oleg-procz-1024x682.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-98869 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/oleg-procz-1024x682.webp 1024w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/oleg-procz-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/oleg-procz-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/oleg-procz-1536x1023.webp 1536w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/oleg-procz.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong><strong>Oleh Prots<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DevDroid Co-founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The cost of a weapon is becoming as important a characteristic as its range, accuracy and protection, argues the expert<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":98870,"template":"","tags":[127,424,496,164,216,369,1612],"class_list":["post-98889","insights","type-insights","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-drones","tag-europe","tag-european-union","tag-fpv","tag-industry","tag-sea-drones","tag-ugv","pmpro-has-access"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.3 - 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