Deliveries of interceptors for jet-powered drones expected "no earlier than late November" – Air Force
Drone Industry
The Ukrainian Air Force said deliveries of interceptors for Russian jet-powered "Shaheds" in the required quantities were expected "no earlier than late November."
Deputy Commander of the Air Force, Colonel Yurii Cherevashenko, said this during a meeting of the temporary investigative commission, Censor.NET reports.
Countering Shaheds
Cherevashenko noted that Russia has significantly increased its use of jet-powered drones since July. They currently account for approximately 40% of all UAVs used. The Air Force expects this share to rise to 80%.
The Air Force is actively working with 20 interceptor manufacturers: three companies have already achieved results it considers promising. Two interceptor models have undergone codification — Predator ("Khyzhak") and Steliter.
Asked when deliveries of interceptors for jet-powered drones could be expected in the required quantities, Cherevashenko replied: "No earlier than late November."
Interceptor manufacturers report that their systems can reach speeds of around 460–500 km/h. Some already claim speeds of up to 700 km/h, but this has yet to be confirmed in combat conditions.
Ukraine's efforts to counter Russian jet-powered drones
- Russian forces began launching new "Geran-4" jet-powered drones against Ukraine in May 2026. They are faster and more maneuverable than previous versions.
- Ukraine has four potential interceptors capable of destroying jet-powered UAVs. They have already undergone field testing, but production needs to be scaled up to thousands of units.
- On August 21, the first Ukrainian-made jet-powered drone interceptor entered service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- On September 28, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the overall drone interception rate stood at 70%, while the rate for jet-powered drones was 57%.
- Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara said on September 29 that Air Force air defenses must shoot down Russian targets before they reach Kyiv.
- On October 2, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was testing five models of interceptors for jet-powered drones.
