JISDA Releases Report on 3-Year Field Research from the Ukrainian Frontline

JISDA (Japan Integrated Security Design Agency) has released a report summarizing what Japan must learn from modern warfare, based on three years of on-site research on the battlefields of Ukraine.

The founding team of JISDA has been conducting continuous field research in Ukraine for approximately three years, even prior to the company's incorporation. The research was not limited to the capital or rear areas, but extended to the frontlines affected by combat and regions near the Russian border. At the closest point, the team operated just 20km from the front, continuously observing, listening to, and analyzing how equipment is used, how it wears out, how it is modified, and what operators truly need.

JISDA has prioritized gathering information directly from the units operating the equipment, rather than focusing solely on the perspective of manufacturers. This is because practical insights in modern warfare exist within the operational reality of troops who use, repair, and modify equipment to complete their missions. JISDA believes that understanding these realities is essential for the future of Japan's security, defense industry, and equipment development.

JISDA is arguably the most knowledgeable startup in Japan regarding the current situation in Ukraine. This report organizes critical perspectives for Japan's security and defense industry based on this accumulated field research.

■ Background of the Report

We believe that we must learn from the reality of modern warfare not to wage war, but to prevent it and protect peace. On the Ukrainian front, the nature of equipment and operations is changing at an extreme speed. Drones, electronic warfare, communication, jamming countermeasures, and field maintenance are evolving on a weekly basis. JISDA has witnessed that these changes are not mere technical trends but structural realities directly linked to soldier survival and mission success. This report outlines the challenges Japan must face based on these realities.

The full report is available on the official JISDA website.
https://jisda.jp/news-detail/?id=g_iuaqqhb

■ Overview of the Report

The report points out that the fundamental premises of equipment development have changed in high-intensity conflicts. It is no longer sufficient to complete a product and consider it finished; the ability to continuously evolve equipment based on operational results is now paramount. Furthermore, the report emphasizes that "effectiveness" in the field is not defined by specification sheets, but by factors such as electromagnetic interference, operator fatigue, and repairability.

Key Perspectives Presented by JISDA

1. Prioritize battlefield development speed and feed frontline feedback into design.
2. Think in terms of "combat specifications" rather than procurement specifications.
3. Bring testing environments closer to reality and evaluate them including their limitations.

■ Comment from Shota Kunii, CEO of JISDA

"The defense industry carries higher stakes than civilian sectors; when a product fails, it leads to mission failure and loss of life. We learn from the reality of the battlefield not to wage war, but to prevent it and protect as many lives as possible. Deterrence is not just about possessing equipment, but about having readiness based on reality to prevent miscalculations by adversaries. JISDA will continue to challenge itself to protect Japan and the world by accumulating the necessary insights."

■ About JISDA

JISDA is a defense startup established in November 2025, specializing in advanced research, development, and integration in the security sector. By bridging the gap between technical seeds and defense needs, JISDA aims to disseminate next-generation security standards from Japan.

Contact Information

Company: JISDA Co., Ltd.
Address: Sapia Tower 8F, 1-7-12 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://jisda.jp/
E-mail: [email protected]