Key Points
- Ukraine averaged almost 950 interceptor drones per day in December to counter Russian Shahed-type uncrewed aerial autos, in response to the Ministry of Defense.
- The Defense Procurement Agency has contracts with greater than 10 producers and has begun procurement planning for 2026, together with anti-Shahed drones.
Ukraine has sharply elevated the day by day provide of interceptor drones used to counter Russian Shahed-type uncrewed aerial autos, with common deliveries reaching almost 950 items per day in December, in response to info launched by the Ministry of Defense.
The drones are contracted by the Defense Procurement Agency of the Ministry of Defense and are meant to strengthen air protection towards low-cost, mass-produced assault drones that Russia continues to make use of towards Ukrainian cities, vitality infrastructure, and frontline positions.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal stated the elevated deliveries are aimed toward easing strain on higher-end air protection methods whereas increasing safety towards drone assaults.
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“We are rising deliveries of anti-Shahed methods for our troopers. These methods make it potential to strengthen safety towards drone terror whereas preserving sources for intercepting cruise and ballistic missiles,” Shmyhal stated.
According to the ministry, interceptor drones have turn into an essential layer in Ukraine’s air protection structure, notably towards Shahed-type drones which are launched in giant numbers and are sometimes used to overwhelm missile-based air protection methods.
The Defense Procurement Agency stated it continues to work on signing new contracts and increasing supply volumes of interceptor drones for the wants of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The company has additionally begun procurement of weapons and navy tools for 2026, together with anti-Shahed uncrewed methods.
The head of the Defense Procurement Agency, Arsen Zhumadilov, stated securing a gradual movement of interceptor drones stays a core precedence.
“Providing the navy with interceptor drones is a precedence for the Defense Procurement Agency. We are working systematically with the market to make sure continuity and completeness of provides. As of December, we’ve contracts with greater than 10 producers of such unmanned methods,” Zhumadilov stated.
The company’s strategy displays a shift towards diversifying suppliers and scaling home and accomplice manufacturing, moderately than counting on a restricted variety of platforms. Officials say this helps cut back provide disruptions and permits quicker adaptation to battlefield necessities.
In addition to rising procurement volumes, the Defense Procurement Agency has built-in tactical-level interceptor drones into the DOT-Chain Defence IT system. This digital platform permits frontline brigades to independently choose and order the tools they want for countering enemy reconnaissance and strike drones.
According to the company, this contains threats reminiscent of Russian Orlan and Zala uncrewed aerial autos, that are generally used for surveillance, artillery recognizing, and strike coordination. By giving items direct entry to interceptor drones by the system, commanders can reply extra shortly to altering circumstances on the battlefield.
Ukrainian officers say the rising position of interceptor drones displays classes realized over the course of the warfare, notably the necessity for cost-effective options to counter giant numbers of comparatively cheap enemy drones. Missile interceptors stay vital for defending towards cruise and ballistic missile assaults, however they’re expensive and restricted in quantity.
By distinction, interceptor drones provide a option to goal Shahed-type threats at a decrease value and with higher flexibility, particularly when built-in into layered air protection networks alongside radar, digital warfare, and conventional missile methods.
