State must ensure mass centralized procurement of robots for AFU

The Ministry of Defense must focus on centralized procurement of ground robotic systems (GRS) to provide the Armed Forces with high-quality and reliable solutions in large quantities.

According to Ukrinform, this was stated by Defense Minister Advisor Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov in an interview with ArmyInform.

“In this regard, the main task of the Ministry of Defense is to ensure that the number of robots in the military is sufficient and that the robots are of high quality and reliability,” he said.

According to Beskrestnov, the Armed Forces are viewed as an internal client that needs to be supplied with good and reliable solutions, and most importantly, in large quantities.

“Because, for example, there are purchases made by brigades and corps using subsidies, and there are purchases made on behalf of the Ministry of Defense. We are trying to ensure that brigades can use subsidies to purchase other items they need. Meanwhile, the GRCs would be supplied to the Armed Forces centrally,” he explained.

Beskrestnov added that the robots are quite expensive, so they will try to contract for and procure them at the Ministry of Defense's expense.

As reported by Ukrinform, the key challenge in developing ground robotic systems (GRS) remains ensuring stable, long-range communication that withstands electronic warfare (EW) countermeasures.

The Ministry of Defense will contract for 25,000 ground robotic systems in the first half of 2026.

Photo: ArmyInform