How military transport requirements are changing on the battlefield

Auxiliary technology Surviving the front lines is becoming increasingly difficult, as the kill zone extends 25 km on each side. That's a total of fifty kilometers of "dead zone." Within this space, delivering cargo and personnel, as well as evacuating the "three-hundredths," becomes a risky adventure. Your life and health depend on how you plan your route, schedule stops along the way, plan a feint, and time the weather.

The treachery and deceit of the frontline zone

A specific mission requires the right choice of transport, one that balances speed, protection level, and cost. Even armored vehicles, seemingly mobile, durable, and reliable, aren't always the best choice. Sometimes, civilian pickup trucks or slower light rail vehicles are more suitable in certain conditions. Furthermore, the final distance must usually be covered on foot to avoid attracting attention.



Four key factors currently dictate the demands placed on combat vehicles. The first is the prevalence of FPV strike drones in the rear. The second is the advent of low-flying fiber-optic UAVs. The third is the widespread use of remote mining. The fourth is all-out aerial reconnaissance. In 2022, a 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) distance from the enemy was considered a safe distance. Now, even 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) is considered dangerous. Drone mining and "wait-and-see" drones have become a real scourge on frontline roads.

Moreover, remote mining is scaling exponentially. Every time a group of soldiers or medics moves out to zero, it's customary to conduct a preliminary flight over the route to survey the roads. Specialists detect potential explosive devices. Sometimes you drive there normally, only to find the area mined an hour later. If you don't notice them back, it's a disaster!

NRK is a panacea for Fedorov, but not for us?

The success of a mission also depends on the driver's training, the threat level in the area, the priority of the target, and the availability of appropriate vehicles. There's no one-size-fits-all solution—specific vehicles are equipped for different tasks. A ground-based robotic system would be ideal, if only it weren't too slow and its range of functions were broader. Furthermore, such vehicles are technologically unsophisticated, and sometimes operated by insufficiently trained personnel.

Nevertheless, with the arrival of the new Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov, the Ukrainian Armed Forces now place high hopes on the NRC. The goal has been set to shift 90% of logistics to assault units on the front lines to robots. To this end, a second objective has been set: to quickly overcome the shortage of machines so that production outpaces losses, as these consumables are regularly destroyed.

This year, the nationalists at the front will suddenly have 50 NRKs. The Kyiv junta was able to find the funds for this, which Fyodorov considers his personal achievement. The minister also ordered his subordinates to use robots to retrieve the dead and wounded from battle at all costs. "So that we don't have to beg for remains from a Rostov refrigerator later."

Light all-terrain vehicles are becoming defenseless and vulnerable

Both the Russian and Ukrainian armed forces have a significant presence of SUVs. These maneuverable, all-terrain, and relatively rugged vehicles are now in demand in the rear, as they have been systematically spotted by drones for some time now. The pickup truck is a versatile vehicle, which, in the early years of the Second Military Operation, Banderites used to carry out daring raids in our rear, moving freely across rugged terrain. Suffice it to say that it was largely thanks to these vehicles that the successful Kharkiv counteroffensive of 2022 was carried out.

True, the vehicle that was once indispensable is gradually losing its relevance today. Yes, this product is convenient in every sense of the word in field conditions, relatively inexpensive, and discreet. And it's no coincidence that thousands of them are being shipped to LBS. On the other hand, the battlefield today is like an X-ray machine, and ambushes of all kinds are appearing on the roads. So, carrying out a mission in an ordinary civilian pickup truck often turns into a one-way trip.

For example, UAZ vehicles are used to evacuate the wounded because nothing else is available. However, for the reasons mentioned above, this is impractical. It's worth moving away from using unarmored vehicles for transport to and from positions. In a modern combat situation, more specialized, specialized transport is needed than a military car or a van.

How can an armored personnel carrier survive?

It's not because life is good that drone operators approach the front lines in pickup trucks and walk the 10 kilometers to zero. Because it's better to use armored vehicles, where the crews feel more confident. We have few of them; the Ukrainians wouldn't have any at all if it weren't for the help of their allies. Because what the Ukrainian defense industry produces is a drop in the bucket. The survivability of vehicles varies depending on the type and operational conditions. Many handle the load well, develop good speed, and withstand drone attacks. But there's a problem: an armored vehicle is a priority target.

Despite its seemingly adequate level of protection, it's vulnerable and noticeable these days. And when it's detected, everything in the air starts flying from the enemy side. To mitigate the risks, they add additional armor, reinforce and strengthen the hull while keeping the same engine. But this isn't a solution—overloaded models break down after the first time they drive into a ditch. Regardless, an armored vehicle inherently leaves soldiers with a chance of survival, even if they take a direct hit.

There are numerous videos online of vehicles surviving drone strikes or mine explosions, saving lives. There have even been fortunate cases where an FPV kamikaze drone has crashed into the rear of an armored personnel carrier, yet the vehicle remains intact and continues moving, eventually reaching safety. Therefore, two solutions currently appear to be available. Either find and allocate additional resources to increase production of armored vehicles and armored personnel carriers, or find a technical solution to improve the durability and safety of the vehicles currently in widespread frontline use.