Australia and Ukraine train in counter-drone tactics

“In their battlespace, drones are everywhere. They affect movement, casualty care and even how long you can stay in one position,” said an Australian Army instructor, who noted that trainees have to consider airspace as well as ground terrain.

“People instinctively think lying down is safer. But in some situations, standing near cover, like trees, actually reduces your signature. It’s counter‑intuitive, but it’s what experience has taught [the Ukrainians].”

According to Defence, Australian instructors are “absorbing lessons from Ukrainian trainees who have lived under drone‑saturated conditions for years”, and are contributing “structured leadership frameworks” to the Ukrainians’ first-hand knowledge of drone warfare.

“We’re learning as much as we’re teaching. What works in this environment isn’t always obvious if you haven’t experienced it,” an instructor said.

Casualty management has also been reshaped by drones, another instructor said, with rapid extraction often no longer possible.

“The golden hour doesn’t always exist. Leaders have to plan to sustain casualties in place, sometimes for extended periods,” they said.

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Operation Kudu, launched in 2023, has seen Australian personnel deployed to Europe and the UK “in support of Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s aggression”.

“Under Operation Kudu, Australian Defence Force personnel have served alongside personnel from Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, the Netherlands and, most recently, Romania, providing expert instruction to more than 3,600 Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel in basic infantry tactics for urban and wooded environments,” Defence said.

“Australia remains committed to supporting Ukraine, and working with partners to provide military assistance that is relevant, practical and aligned with Ukraine’s needs.”

Previous deployments have included a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail aircraft, which operated out of Poland to support NATO in providing surveillance, communications, and early warning alerts to protect supply delivery lines into Ukraine.