Cheap Ukrainian interceptor drones change rules of air warfare — Business Insider
Drone Industry
Low-cost interceptor drones developed in Ukraine are reshaping the air war and have become a key element of the country’s defense. They are already shooting down hundreds of Russian Shaheds.
As reported by Censor.NET, citing RBC-Ukraine. Business Insider reported the story.
Roughly a year after Russia’s full-scale invasion began, a Ukrainian drone instructor floated an idea the military initially deemed unrealistic: using quadcopters to intercept enemy reconnaissance UAVs. At the time, many doubted a small drone could maneuver precisely enough to hit a fast target. Yet the concept became reality, what once sounded like sci-fi is now a crucial element of Ukraine’s air defense.
Interceptors in action
The report notes that Ukraine is increasingly deploying low-cost interceptor UAVs to destroy Russian strike drones. During one recent mass strike, they downed more than 150 drones.
Ukraine now aims to scale production to as many as 1,000 such interceptors per day.
This technology has implications beyond Ukraine, showcasing how massed drone attacks can be countered with affordable solutions in future conflicts.
NATO takes interest in Ukraine’s innovations
NATO is paying close attention to Ukrainian developments. According to Admiral Pierre Vandier, Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation, "hit-to-kill" interceptor drones are among the most promising means of defending against Russian attacks.
The outlet’s journalists spoke with Ukrainian engineers, pilots, and manufacturers, who explained how a technology that began as an experiment has become a top defense priority.
"With the growing number of drone threats, pressure mounted on defenders on both sides to employ relatively inexpensive and simple countermeasures," said Samuel Bendett, an adviser with the Russia Studies Program at the Center for Naval Analyses in the United States.
He added that both Ukraine and Russia are now actively using various types of interceptor UAVs.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the current effectiveness rate of Ukrainian interceptor drones against enemy UAVs stands at 68%.
It is known that Ukraine and the United Kingdom plan to launch joint production of interceptor drones to counter Shahed-type systems. The project could be implemented in the coming months.
