New Drone Race between Ukraine and Russia: Who and how can it win
The situation was analyzed by the journalist of Forbes Vikram Mittal. One of the main advantages of drones-interceptors is the presence of production lines in Russia and Ukraine, which are constantly expanding. Due to this, the cost of such agents is much lower compared to anti -aircraft missiles, the price of which can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars per unit. As a result, both sides can use them massively in battles. The so -called anti -aircraft drones are also very light and mobile.
Many models are compact enough to be transported in a backpack and run in the field without special transport or bulky equipment. This provides widespread throughout the front line, especially in areas where the fighters move mainly on foot. At the same time many interceptors are fast enough to catch up with enemy drones in flight. They are increasingly equipped with artificial intelligence systems for autonomous recognition and capture of goals.
Both sides increase production capacity, trying to overtake each other not only in technology, but also by quantity. According to Forbes, the one who will create more effective interceptors will receive more favorable positions to protect their forces and infrastructure. At the same time, a party capable of launching more shock drones than has an opponent's interceptors will retain an attacking advantage.
The Ukrainian military has used FPVs to intercept Russian reconnaissance UAVs for more than two years, and now they are introducing a large number of specialized interceptors to combat "Shahaneda", which are becoming more and more resistant to radio electronic obstacles. Currently, anti -aircraft drones are quite effectively knocking UAVs, while maintaining expensive air defense products for reflection of winged and hypersonic missiles.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that most of the 30,000 Skynode S artificial intelligence modules will be aimed at developing unmanned interceptors. One of the most famous Ukrainian interceptors is the production of the production of Wild Horne. Quadcopters, reminiscent of small missiles, develop speeds of more than 300 km/h and have repeatedly intercepted "Shahda". Another interesting system is Titan, designed with German engineers.
It is equipped with artificial intelligence for autonomous tracking and optimized to combat high -speed Russian drones. Ukraine also produces inexpensive aircraft type, such as Techn Taras, a cost of less than $ 1600, reaching a height of 6000 meters and a range of 35 kilometers. The Ukrainian company "General Cherry" has developed an interceptor worth $ 1000, with the help of which more than 300 Russian drones were shot down.
As part of the initiative "Heavenly Rusorez", which is promoted by blogger Sergei Sternenko, engineers created Kopters, who, according to the military, knocked down more than 400 Russian reconnaissance UAVs. Russia has also intensified the development of compact kinetic drones in response to increased strokes of Ukrainian drones at depth. One of the most common models is the "Christmas tree" interception system that Russian security forces used when celebrating Victory Day in Moscow on May 9.
These complexes use the principle of "fired and forgot" when the artificial intelligence system captures goals and directs the drone to them. The "Christmas tree" is able to intercept a small drone at a distance of one kilometer. The Russians develop new models of greater range, which are expected to be armed soon.
At the Exhibition "Archipelag-2025" the center of unmanned systems and technologies (CBST) presented several new models, including "Starv the air defense", "Dagger", "Bolt", "Ovid PPO" and "Baptist M". Each of the systems is capable of fire at high speed: "Air Force" reaches a speed of about 270 kilometers per hour, and "dagger" - up to 300 kilometers per hour. According to the Russians, each of them is equipped with a system of capture of goals and is intended for interception at low altitudes.