A Lithuanian drone company is turning to Ukraine for critical components, citing unique battlefield innovations that cannot be found elsewhere. Gediminas Guoba, CEO of Granta Autonomy, said Ukrainian-made parts offer combat-proven capabilities developed specifically for the realities of modern warfare. These components, he explained, are often adapted or invented on the front lines and are not available in the same form or scale anywhere else. Guoba emphasized that Ukrainian firms have direct access to active battlefields, giving them real-time insights into what works under pressure. This firsthand experience allows them to rapidly iterate and improve drone technology in ways that traditional defense suppliers cannot match. He noted that while similar technologies exist abroad, they are often designed for larger systems or fail in conditions common in Ukraine, such as dense forests or areas with heavy electronic jamming. One example is antenna masts used to maintain communication between drones and their operators. Most existing models are bulky and not suited for mobile, low-altitude operations. Ukrainian engineers have developed lighter, more adaptable versions that work effectively under tree cover and in contested environments. Another key component is explosion initiators—small but vital for drone munitions. While similar devices exist elsewhere, they are not produced at the scale or with the precision needed for Ukraine’s drone warfare. Due to export restrictions, some Ukrainian-made military components cannot be shipped abroad. As a result, Granta Autonomy assembles drones with these parts inside Ukraine, where they remain in service with Ukrainian forces. The company’s GA-10FPV-AI drones, designed to operate without GPS or stable radio signals, have already been delivered in large numbers to Ukraine and Lithuania. Over 1,000 units have been sent to Ukraine, with nearly 4,000 more on order, along with more than 2,300 for Lithuania. Guoba and his team regularly visit Ukraine to observe operations firsthand. He said being on the ground is essential to understanding how drones perform under real combat conditions. “Until it’s tested on the battlefield, it’s just an idea,” he said. The feedback from Ukrainian soldiers—sometimes shared via text or video calls—helps refine designs and ensures that only proven systems are deployed. The trend of Western companies sourcing from Ukraine reflects a broader shift in defense innovation. Nations like the UK and Denmark see value in testing technology in Ukraine’s war zone, where conditions are harsh and demand is relentless. UK armed forces minister Luke Pollard stated that drone companies without equipment on the front lines are essentially out of the race. Ukraine’s defense industry has grown rapidly under war conditions, producing not only replacements for Western-supplied systems but also novel solutions tailored to the battlefield. Denmark’s defense minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, said his country wants to learn from Ukraine’s experience to strengthen its own defense capabilities. For Guoba, the mission extends beyond business. He sees it as a duty to develop European-made drone technology close to home, reducing reliance on China, which dominates the global drone market. While progress is being made in areas like motor development, challenges remain. But with Ukraine at the forefront of innovation, companies like Granta Autonomy are finding that the best answers to today’s military challenges are being forged in the fires of war.