Liudas Abišala, Head of marketing and Communications at RSI Europe, told LRT.lt that artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer an unexpected innovation, but a necessity in modern military operations.
He explained that Ukraine is actively developing semi-autonomous drone solutions, where a drone can complete its mission even if operator control is interrupted. “Russia is also developing AI-enabled drones that can navigate terrain and engage targets autonomously. These initiatives will continue to expand,” Abišala said.
In Lithuania, similar work is underway. Local manufacturers collaborate with Ukrainian partners to develop autonomous and AI-controlled drones. “Developing AI systems demands vast amounts of data, which Ukraine has in greater quantity than anyone else,” Abišala added.
The importance of AI in combat was demonstrated during Ukraine’s June 1 Spiderweb operation, in which drones supported by advanced AI systems contributed to the destruction or damage of dozens of Russian strategic aircraft. Abišala emphasized that while fully autonomous systems are not yet deployed, AI-assisted technologies are already shaping the battlefield, with Lithuanian initiatives following similar paths in training and reconnaissance capabilities.
In a lighter note, RSI Europe also shared a humorous AI-generated video imagining a futuristic drone delivery system, showing drones instantly deploying from a backpack. While not a serious projection of military capability, it highlights the growing public fascination with drones and automation.
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