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June 17, 2025 - As the global defence and aerospace community departs from the highly anticipated Paris Air Show 2025, the dominant trends and technological showcases have provided a clear indication of the future of warfare. For Ukraine, analyzing these developments is not merely an academic exercise; it is a strategic necessity. The innovations on display, from autonomous systems to next-generation air defence, offer a critical lens through which to assess Ukraine's own defence industrial strategy, identify opportunities for collaboration, and fortify its long-term security architecture.
The AI-Driven Battlefield: Autonomy and Data-Centric Warfare
A primary theme from this year's show was the undeniable ascendancy of autonomous systems and Artificial Intelligence. Driven by lessons from recent conflicts, the defence industry is heavily focused on AI integration for advanced decision-making, surveillance, and predictive analytics. The global "AI in military" market was valued at $9.31 billion in 2024 and continues to show strong growth.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were a central focus, but the conversation has evolved. The trend is moving towards sophisticated drone "swarms" designed for complex, coordinated missions, and a deeper integration of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for high-risk operations. This shift is part of a broader move towards data-centric warfare, where AI algorithms process massive data streams from an array of sensors to provide commanders with real-time battlefield intelligence.
Ukraine is not just a participant in this trend; it is a global catalyst. The nation has become a leader in the tactical application and rapid development of FPV drones, often achieving revolutionary cost-exchange ratios against sophisticated Russian assets. Facing intense electronic warfare (EW), Ukrainian innovators have compressed development cycles from years to months, fielding solutions like frequency-hopping communications and fiber-optic drones to maintain operational effectiveness. With plans to produce up to 4.5 million drones annually and over 96% of drones used by its forces being domestically produced, Ukraine's experience provides invaluable, real-world validation for the autonomous systems showcased in Paris.
The Imperative of Air Defence: Integrated and Intelligent Systems
The global emphasis on robust Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) was more pronounced than ever. The IAMD market is projected to reach $27.58 billion in 2025, driven by the proliferation of drone and cruise missile threats. The focus is squarely on creating multi-layered defence infrastructure that integrates systems to counter a wide spectrum of threats, from ballistic and cruise missiles to low-flying UAVs.
Key technological trends include the deep integration of AI into modern air defence radars for superior target discrimination and the rise of multinational frameworks like the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), which underscore a collective move toward interoperability and common procurement.
This trend directly aligns with Ukraine's single highest defence priority: strengthening its multi-layered air defences against relentless Russian attacks. Ukraine's current real-world application of integrating EW, various air defence systems, and drone-on-drone interception tactics is a testament to these principles in action. For Ukraine, the key takeaway from Paris is the critical need to scale up the number of effective drone interceptor systems and to secure partnerships that provide a clear path to acquiring and integrating the next generation of IAMD technologies to ensure long-term national safety.
Space as the New High Ground: A Contested Domain
The 2025 Paris Air Show solidified the recognition of space as a critical and contested military domain. This is reflected in global trends, with defence spending accounting for 54% of the $73 billion invested in space by governments in 2024.
A central topic of discussion was the vulnerability of space assets. Recent threat assessments confirm the widespread use of GPS jamming and spoofing in conflict zones, with Russia actively targeting satellite communications and navigation used by Ukrainian forces. The development of offensive and defensive space capabilities is no longer theoretical; major powers now operate under the assumption that future conflicts will extend into space.
Ukraine's defence is heavily reliant on space-based capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and command and control, primarily through commercial and allied assets like Starlink. This reliance creates a significant vulnerability to Russian EW attacks. The trends from Paris underscore the strategic imperative for Ukraine to develop resilient space capabilities, whether through sovereign assets or deepened, long-term partnerships, to safeguard its access to this vital domain.
Strategic Outlook for Ukraine
The takeaways from the Paris Air Show 2025 are clear. While Ukraine continues to lead the world in tactical, battlefield-driven innovation – particularly in UAVs and counter-EW – long-term security requires strategic alignment with global defence technology trends. The future of warfare will be defined by highly integrated, AI-driven, multi-domain systems.
For Ukraine, this means leveraging its proven innovation ecosystem to engage with international partners on co-development and technology transfer for more complex systems like IAMD and resilient space capabilities. The nation's combat experience is an invaluable asset, offering a unique opportunity to shape the development of next-generation technologies. Platforms like Defence Ukraine will continue to play a vital role in bridging the gap between Ukrainian ingenuity and the global defence community, fostering the partnerships necessary to build a secure and technologically sovereign future.
