In Ukraine, the number of cases of destroying Russian drones using special interceptor drones has increased significantly. According to Reuters, in the past few months alone, these devices have shot down about 1,500 enemy UAVs, from reconnaissance to strike drones that attacked Ukrainian cities.
According to the agency, the interceptors are becoming a real alternative to expensive air defense missiles, whose reserves are rapidly depleting. The 1129th Air Defense Regiment estimated that destroying Russian reconnaissance drones with these devices is about five times cheaper than using anti-aircraft missiles.
The characteristics of the interceptors remain classified, but it is known that their speed exceeds 300 km/h, and the flight altitude is constantly increasing. Officer Oleksiy Barsuk, who is implementing the technology in the 1129th regiment, said:
«When we started, the enemy was flying at an altitude of 800–1000 meters. Now it’s 3, 4, or even 5 thousand, but their camera zoom is not infinite.».
Despite progress, these devices are still inferior in speed to missiles and jet-powered Shaheds. That is why Ukrainian developers are working on versions with jet engines that will allow them to intercept fast targets more effectively.
Sam Bendett, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, believes that the Russians are already developing countermeasures, so the number of air interceptions will only increase in the near future.
Ukraine began using the first types of such drones, in particular the Fowler model, in the fall of 2022. Since then, the design and capabilities of the interceptors have evolved significantly, and now the Ministry of Defense has contracts with at least three manufacturers of such systems.
