Ukraine is testing a new generation of high-speed interceptor drones to counter Russian jet-powered attack drones. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on 14 September. According to him, development is being fast-tracked from the prototype stage to operational deployment and large-scale production in order to provide the air defence forces with a sufficient number of such assets.
Briefly about the main points
- The new Ukrainian interceptors are already undergoing testing.
- They are being developed to counter Russia’s high-speed jet UAVs.
- The prototypes need to be developed to the required level of efficiency.
- At least four potential solutions have undergone field trials.
- The authorities are discussing ways of involving the business sector in the production of air defence systems.
From prototype to mass production
The new aircraft are designed to pursue and destroy jet-powered drones. The Ukrainian side is seeking to reduce the time between the creation of a prototype, its testing and the start of mass production.
In early September, the President announced that Ukrainian manufacturers had already produced prototypes of this weapon, but that they needed to be refined to achieve the required level of effectiveness. At the end of August, ArmyInform reported on at least four potential designs that had undergone field trials.
Jet-powered UAVs are changing the requirements for drone air defence
Russia is gradually increasing its use of jet-powered attack drones. Their higher speed makes them more difficult to intercept using conventional interceptor drones and poses additional challenges for traditional air defence systems.
In April, the Ministry of Defence reported that it had tasked developers with creating and scaling up jet interceptors to counter jet-powered «Shaheds» travelling at speeds in excess of 450 km/h. This suggests that countering this class of UAVs requires different flight and navigation capabilities than those needed for slower targets.
Ukraine regards high-speed interceptors as one of the elements of its multi-layered air defence system. Zelensky He also stated that Russia is improving its attack drones and ramping up their production.
Production and development of air defence systems
At the meeting of the High Command on 3 September, discussions centred on the capabilities of Ukrainian manufacturers, as well as the involvement of the private sector in the production, supply and configuration of certain air defence systems. Zelenskyy described the strategic objective as having a sufficient number of high-quality, high-speed interceptors and cheaper missiles.
Ukraine’s drone air defence system already has systems that have been approved for operational use. In particular, the Ministry of Defence has reported on the JEDI Shahed Hunter system for destroying «Shaheds», «Geraniums» and «Gerbers», as well as autonomous systems that automate most of the interception cycle. These solutions should not be confused with new interceptors designed to counter jet-powered targets.
The technical specifications of the new generation of interceptors, their numbers and details of their operational use are not being disclosed. The tasks still include bringing the technologies up to the required level of effectiveness and scaling up production.
