 apiece and strike their targets within minutes. However, the weapons that have caused Ukraine greater economic damage of late are drones that cost as little as $10,000. Unlike Russia's rapid-fire missiles, the drones can shut down Kyiv for hours because their piston-driven engines take so long to make an impact. The significant toll of this cheap military kit on Ukraine is something that has caught the eye of Britain's defence industry. In a speech at a weapons fair in London last week, minister for defence procurement James Cartlidge said: 'The fact is if we're going to respond to the pace of change we're seeing in Ukraine, where new technologies are being adapted in a matter of weeks, we're going to need this sort of innovation. 'Sourcing the £100 solutions that can stop the £100m threat in its tracks.' His comments echo those made in the US last month when the Pentagon announced a new drone programme called Replicator. It plans to build thousands of 'small, smart, cheap' drones to rival hordes of Chinese counterparts, said deputy defense secretary Kathleen Hicks. This marks a significant change in military thinking, as before Russia's invasion the focus of most weapons makers was to outperform enemy hardware, building equipment that was increasingly fast, stealthy or deadly. All of this led to eye-watering military budgets to pay for equipment greater in tech but fewer in numbers. This only exacerbated the pain of losing a fighter jet or a warship. However, we now may be re-entering a new era of modern defence buying, as armed forces prioritise greater volumes of cheaper kit. QinetiQ, the defence technology firm spun out of the Ministry o){kind=link}
High-volume, low-cost military equipment is redefining modern warfare
In Kyiv, air raid sirens force local residents to seek shelter as soon as possible.
The pace at which they do so is key, as more often than not Russia’s cruise and ballistic missiles can hit Ukraine’s capital with worrying efficacy.
Driving the Kremlin’s attacks are commonly Iskander and Kalibr rockets, which cost $1m (£807,000) apiece and strike their targets within minutes.
However, the weapons that have caused Ukraine greater economic damage of late are drones that cost as little as $10,000.