By: Dr Avi Verma

Illinois Congressman Says Ukraine’s Experience With Drones, Electronic Warfare and Defense Production Offers Critical Lessons for U.S. Forces

Following an official visit to Ukraine, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) announced plans to introduce the Learning Effective Strategies and Systems Optimization for National Security (LESSONS) from Ukraine Act, legislation aimed at ensuring that the U.S. military studies and incorporates key battlefield lessons emerging from the war in Ukraine.

Krishnamoorthi, a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said his visit provided a firsthand look at how rapidly modern warfare is evolving, particularly through the widespread use of drones, electronic warfare and decentralized weapons production.

“During my visit to Ukraine, I saw firsthand how the Ukrainians are rapidly adapting to a battlefield where drones and electronic warfare are changing how wars are fought,” Krishnamoorthi said.

He emphasized that Ukraine’s experience fighting Russia has generated lessons that could be relevant to U.S. military preparedness in other potential conflict zones.

“After years of defending their country against Putin’s invasion, they have learned critical lessons about countering drone swarms, operating through electronic warfare, and sustaining weapons production under attack,” he said. “We need to draw from their experience to strengthen our own military, protect our servicemembers fighting in the Gulf, and ensure we are prepared to deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific.”

Drones Transforming Modern Warfare

A central focus of the proposed legislation would be the dramatic transformation of battlefield operations through unmanned systems.

The Pentagon would be directed to examine Ukraine’s use of drones for combat, intelligence gathering and logistics, as well as the methods Ukrainian forces have developed to defend against increasingly sophisticated drone attacks.

The legislation would also examine how drone warfare is changing the vulnerability and survivability of traditional military platforms, including armored vehicles.

Ukraine has demonstrated how relatively inexpensive unmanned systems can be used to locate, monitor and attack targets traditionally protected by distance, armor or concealment. The proposed study is intended to help determine how the U.S. military should adapt its doctrine, equipment and training to this changing battlefield environment.

Electronic Warfare and Operating Without GPS

Another major component of the proposed legislation is electronic warfare.

Modern battlefields increasingly involve efforts to disrupt communications, navigation and other electronic systems. Ukraine has operated in an environment where GPS and satellite communications can be degraded or unavailable.

Under the proposed LESSONS from Ukraine Act, the Pentagon would examine how Ukrainian forces maintain military operations when access to GPS and satellite communications is disrupted, and determine how similar capabilities and contingencies should be incorporated into U.S. military training and doctrine.

The legislation would also examine Ukraine’s experience with layered defenses against drone swarms, an increasingly important consideration as unmanned systems become more numerous, autonomous and capable.

Building a More Resilient Defense Industrial Base

The proposed legislation goes beyond battlefield tactics.

Ukraine’s efforts to protect and disperse its weapons production capabilities would also be examined. According to Krishnamoorthi’s announcement, the Pentagon would study how Ukraine has sought to make its defense industrial base faster, more distributed and more resilient in the face of attacks.

For the United States, the issue has broader implications. A prolonged or large-scale conflict could place enormous demands on the American defense industry and supply chains. Understanding how to maintain production while facilities and infrastructure are under threat could therefore become an important element of military preparedness.

Implications for Future Conflicts

The proposed legislation would further direct the Pentagon to assess Ukraine’s battlefield experience in areas including armored vehicle survivability and battlefield medicine.

The goal would be to translate these observations into concrete changes rather than simply documenting them. The legislation would require the Pentagon to develop a plan and timetable for incorporating relevant lessons into U.S. military doctrine and training.

Krishnamoorthi’s proposal comes as the United States confronts an increasingly complex global security environment, with potential challenges ranging from conflicts involving drones and electronic warfare to strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific.

The underlying message of the proposed legislation is that military preparedness cannot rely solely on lessons from previous wars. As technology changes the character of warfare, the ability to rapidly learn, adapt and incorporate battlefield experience may itself become a critical military advantage.

For Krishnamoorthi, Ukraine offers a real-world laboratory of those changes. The proposed LESSONS from Ukraine Act seeks to ensure that the United States learns from that experience before it faces similar challenges on its own battlefields.