When the front line calls, our tech must be ready and responsive

The reality of drone warfare in the war between Russia and Ukraine is one of rapidly changing technology. Australian company, DroneShield, prides itself as Australia’s counter-drone systems integrator.

DroneShield’s RfPatrol Mk2 helps protect lives on the front lines in Ukraine.

Another frontline complication. A Ukrainian soldier is halfway through updating his counter-drone system when the unit’s battery dies, cutting the process short and, like any half-finished iPhone update, leaving the device in a less-than-ideal state.

With drones in the air and no time to waste, the soldier knows he doesn’t have to wait for the next update through his chain of command. He contacts DroneShield directly. After quickly verifying his identity, a call is set up over Starlink, reaching the team at DroneShield’s Sydney HQ just after 10pm local time. “You must fix this,” the soldier says. “This has saved my life three times.”

Ukraine is a long way from the harbour in Sydney, the glistening water a contrast to the mud of the trenches, but for DroneShield, one of the world’s leading counter-drone companies, these overnight phone calls from the front are a lifeline.

Oleg Vornik, DroneShield chief executive and managing director.

The reality of drone warfare in the war between Russia and Ukraine is one of rapidly changing technology: each innovation, each tweak, is quickly identified and countered by the other side as they seek any advantage.

More than 1000 DroneShield systems are deployed to Ukraine. Keeping them effective is a constant challenge, underscoring the harsh realities of modern warfare, where continual innovation is essential to ensure equipment remains relevant and capable on the evolving battlefield.

Equipment updates vary from a straightforward change to the software to match a new Russian technique or type of drone, to more complex hardware refreshes. Our engineers work fast to identify the problem, propose a fix, test it at our range in regional NSW if needed, then roll out the solution on the ground. We send teams regularly to Ukraine to speak to the operators to build a more comprehensive picture of what’s happening from the user perspective.

Four of our senior executives have been sanctioned by the Russians, including the DroneShield staff member who assisted the Ukrainian soldier over the phone – a badge of honour as far as our business is concerned.

As our nearly 200 engineers in Sydney find the fix to the latest Russian tactic or technology, they then apply that learning to all our systems deployed to customers across the globe. This knowledge, hard won on the frontlines, helps save lives in Ukraine now, and will do the same in any future conflict.

To respond to this rapidly changing threat we pride ourselves as Australia’s counter-drone systems integrator: there’s no one-size-fits-all in the counter-drone battle, so we work with the technology of other manufacturers. For example, we’re working with the Epirus Leonidas, a directed-energy, long-pulse high-power microwave weapon, to give our customers an advantage.

As an Australian company, it’s only natural that we prioritise the needs of the Australian Defence Force: collaborating closely to test new technologies, incorporating frontline feedback, and ensuring our systems are tailored for Australia’s defence. At the same time, our commitment to our allies remains steadfast.

Supporting Ukraine gives us not only the opportunity to stand with like-minded nations, but also to learn from the realities of modern conflict, insights that ultimately make us better prepared to defend Australia and Australian interests.

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Oleg Vornik is DroneShield chief executive and managing director.