It is Time for the West to Supply Quantities of Lethal Drones to Ukraine

The war in Ukraine is grinding down to a slugfest where innocent civilians will suffer ever greater impacts. The defenders need a combat advantage over their larger opposition. Supplying anti-tank and shoulder-fired air defense missiles are helpful, but not decisive. Plans to provide more powerful weapons, like fighter/attack aircraft, take time and introduce significant logistical and political challenges. Another option, which is timely and provides effective flexible capabilities, is needed.

I recommend the Western allies leverage their industrial capacity and financial resources to mass-produce combat drones that Ukraine can use to target Russian artillery, tanks, armored personnel carriers, and supply vehicles. Drones provide a stand-off capability to strike targets such as the 40-mile column of Russian invasion forces and the significant artillery that can strike cities from positions out of reach of the defense forces. They could also help secure evacuation paths for civilians. Drones could allow Ukraine to remotely attack targets staging in Belarus and Russian attack and supply ships.

Ukraine is using drones very effectively but doesn’t have the numbers to make a significant difference. They are currently using Bayraktar combat drones provided by Turkey and Punisher drones, a smaller variant produced…