Павло Аксьонов

Ukraine’s battlefield experience with long-range drones and low-cost interceptors is increasingly influencing European defense development. At the Farnborough Airshow, Ukrainian firms displayed strike drones and interceptor systems, while companies including SkyFall, MBDA and Lockheed Martin promoted cheaper, mass-producible methods for countering drones and missiles. European governments are responding to fears of Russian attacks and pressure from the United States to assume more responsibility for continental security. A new European coalition is also working on a ballistic-missile interceptor, with participants emphasizing speed, affordability and large-scale production. The war has accelerated military innovation, but Russia’s ability to copy and mass-produce systems remains a significant challenge.