Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn, head of the department at the Central Directorate for Innovation Activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reported this to Ukrinform.
“These unmanned interceptors of enemy jet-powered UAVs represent a promising field in which we are currently working quite actively. To date, four promising drone models have been identified and, in collaboration with the manufacturers, have already reached the final stage of readiness,” he said.
According to Voloshyn, these include models with both jet engines and electric powerplants. Prototypes have already been delivered to Ukrainian units on the front lines for testing in combat conditions.
Voloshyn added that, in parallel, they are defining and refining tactics for deploying such UAVs, identifying additional unit requirements, and determining the areas where these drones can be used most effectively. They plan to scale up the experience gained in the future.
“In addition, active efforts are underway to engage new manufacturers in developing solutions to counter jet-powered UAVs,” Voloshin said.
He noted that currently, about ten manufacturers are undergoing testing with their products to verify the claimed specifications. Based on the test results, developers are provided with recommendations on how to improve their products, enhance their flight and operational characteristics, and, in some cases, integrate additional combat automation systems.
Voloshyn is convinced that this should increase the effectiveness of intercepting enemy drones.
“But I’ll say it again: this is no longer just one or two—there are now a dozen such products that are currently at a stage where, before long, the best of these models will also enter service with our units,” he noted.
Voloshyn clarified that the timelines for finalizing the various designs vary and depend on a number of factors. These include the availability of technologies, the technical capabilities of the developer company, the availability of in-house capacity for developing and manufacturing the necessary components, as well as the availability and cost of individual prototypes.
According to him, the need to develop such interceptors as quickly as possible is linked to the improvement of Russian strike UAVs.
Read also: Drones attack oil refinery in Russia’s Yaroslavl, military airfield in Rostov-on-Don – media“Because right now the Russians… are constantly improving these ‘Shaheds,’ and the fact that they now have jet engines and new guidance systems means we need to develop such interceptors as quickly as possible so they can effectively counter them,” he emphasized.
At the same time, Voloshyn did not disclose detailed specifications of the prospective interceptors, as this work is classified.
As reported by Ukrinform, on September 14, Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi briefed President Volodymyr Zelensky on the latest developments to counter Russian jet-powered drones.
Earlier, Zelensky stated that there are currently 67 companies operating in Ukraine capable of shooting down jet drones on a large scale. According to him, there are currently 3–5 companies that have already demonstrated results.