Ukrainian manufacturer of electronic warfare and counter-UAV systems, Infozahyst Research and Production Center, arrived in Oslo, Norway, to participate in the AOC Europe 2024 expo dedicated to signal intelligence, EW, and cybersecurity. The company presented a range of solutions of its making and shared impressions of communicating with partners in a comment for Defense Express.
Yaroslav Kalinin, CEO of Infozahyst, tells us that, generally, the exhibition outlines foremostly the strategic aspects in the SIGINT & EW field, i.e. it shows how NATO countries perceive the most relevant threats in this domain and how they communicate their concerns with manufacturers of solutions.
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In his opinion, each time they talk to partners from the West, they see a growing interest from the Western military in Ukraine's takeaways from fighting against the russian invasion, particularly the real-combat experience of Ukrainian troops facing tangible threats and unmanned devices deployed by the russian forces.
"This year, we were providing comments non-stop, gave explanations, demonstrated certain things and shared our impressions with the end users from various countries of the NATO bloc, mostly with SIGINT and EW experts of various ranks and branches of armed forces," Kalinin said.
During this year's expo, the interaction with partners from armed forces of NATO and local manufacturers gained new meanings:
"Based on the results of this exhibition, I visit various manufacturers and have practical negotiations with them," CEO of Infozahyst said. By now, he affirms, the foundations for practical cooperation have already been laid. That includes maintenance of weapons and equipment that partner countries supply to Ukraine as military aid, as well as creating new solutions in response to the most relevant needs and threats.
At the same time, Kalinin notes that so far it is the signal intelligence and communication systems that spark the most interest in international partners, while electromagnetic suppression equipment is less popular:
"Regarding the EW, I have a feeling that the West has not directly recognized the threat posed by small-sized unmanned aerial vehicles which have been very actively used on the battlefield in Ukraine. I think, at the next expo, we'll be talking with Western companies about the tactical EW segment. So far, none of such talks are underway."
The chief of Ukrainian Infozahyst explains that the West views electronic warfare systems first of all in light of anti-radar systems and satellite/terrestrial communication suppressors.
"They don't see past that. Maybe a little bit of anti-drone warfare but exclusively against some military drones [operating] at great distances. Their concepts, paradigms, and approaches have not changed."
On the other hand, Ukraine successfully works on solving specific tasks in the SIGINT and EW field, and in constant communication with the partners the message should eventually get through that it is actually a relevant, serious, and systematic problem.
"For example, the same China has already started experimenting with utilizing FPV drones. in other words, some countries are already studying this experience. Accordingly, they will analyze the experience of counter-UAV warfare as well. I think, in about half a year, this will resonate with the West, and practical decisions will be made," Kalinin says.
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