UK Defence Committee Cites Ukraine’s Use of AI as a Model for Modern Warfare

• The U.K. Defence Committee recommends transforming the Ministry of Defence into an “AI-native” organization.
• MPs have underscored the importance of developing an AI defense sector to keep up with other nations.
• One U.K. MP warned that the “MOD has no time to lose.”

A new report from the Defence Committee has warned that the U.K. must rapidly integrate AI into its defense strategy to remain competitive in an increasingly AI-driven global military landscape.

MPs highlighted AI’s potential, urging the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to draw lessons from Ukraine’s use of AI in its conflict with Russia.

AI Defense in Ukraine

The report , published on Jan. 10, emphasizes how Ukraine has leveraged AI technologies for military advantage, using AI in drones, intelligence analysis and battlefield strategy.

By comparison, the MOD’s approach is described as underdeveloped, treating AI more as a novelty than an essential tool for modern defense.

Emma Lewell-Buck MP, Chair of the Sub-Committee on Developing AI capacity and expertise in U.K. Defence, said:

“The use of AI in Ukraine shows that it offers serious military advantage on the battlefield, and as AI becomes more widespread and sophisticated, it will change the way defense works, from the back office to the frontline.”

Building a First-Class Defense AI Sector

The Defence Committee calls for the MOD to transform itself into an “AI-native” organization, integrating AI across frontline operations and back-office functions.

This includes adopting a more agile approach to technology development, working closely with smaller and non-traditional suppliers, and overcoming barriers like complex procurement processes and slow security clearance procedures.

In the report, MPs also highlight the importance of developing a robust U.K. defense AI sector. The report suggests that while the U.K. may not match the scale of the U.S. or China, it can become a leader in specialized and sophisticated AI applications.

U.K. Open to Experimentation

The report also calls on the MOD to “become more comfortable with rapid change, more open to experimentation and risk, and more able to deploy and iterate cheaper, disposable, software-led solutions on faster timelines.”

On Nov. 13, 2024, a U.K. policy framework  outlined how the U.K. has a “duty to make the best use of AI technologies to address threats to our national security and that of our allies, and to use these technologies safely and responsibly in line with our legal commitments and the values of the society we serve.”

So far, the MOD’s AI ethical principles have focused on delivering safe, robust and effective AI-enabled capabilities. However, the recent report by the U.K. Defence Committee now urges the MOD to move fast or “risk falling behind.”

The MOD’s upcoming Strategic Defence Review, expected later this year, presents an opportunity to accelerate these changes.

“With the global threat landscape worsening and the pace of technological change quickening, the MOD must act decisively to ensure AI is not just part of the conversation but part of the solution,” Lewell-Buck added.