Updated

Ukraine's Ministry of Defense and the Brave1 defense innovation cluster tested Mavic-type reconnaissance drones from nine Ukrainian manufacturers, according to Ukrinform, which cited an announcement the ministry made on its website. The tests measured resistance to electronic warfare, the quality of video links and data transmission, flight endurance and other characteristics needed on the front line. The aim was to see whether the drones meet the military's needs on the modern battlefield. Ukrinform reported that manufacturers whose drones showed combat readiness are moving on to contract negotiations with the ministry for later deliveries to military units, and that the best models are to be ordered. The article said the Mavic has been a key tool for tactical reconnaissance, but that as the kill zone expands the military needs drones that stay airborne longer, fly farther and remain effective under intensive electronic warfare, which civilian drones increasingly fail to do. The ministry and Brave1 are developing a domestic alternative to the Mavic rather than simply copying it. Ukrinform also reported that the two bodies are scaling up swarm drone control technology for frontline logistics, and that one military unit doubled the volume of cargo it delivered with the technology over a month.