Czech army tests Ukrainian Shark drone for modern warfare
The Ukrainian Shark drone has caught the interest of the Czech army. This is yet another recent example of allied countries supporting Kyiv by supplying various military equipment and seeking to utilize Ukrainian expertise and technologies related to unmanned aerial vehicles. Ukraine is currently a leader in producing such equipment, a fact recognized by countries like the USA and South Korea.
The Shark is a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone that has been successfully used on the front lines. The Czech army's official Facebook profile recently posted photos from field tests of this UAV, conducted under conditions designed to simulate modern warfare realities.
The Czech army is interested in the Ukrainian drone
The test scenarios aimed to mimic current wartime conditions, including operations in environments where opponents disrupt navigation and communication signals. Ukrainian experience is invaluable in this regard, as the conflict with Russia is often termed a "drone war," with the Ukrainian army employing various types of UAVs developed by local companies.
In February, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha revealed that in 2025 alone, Ukraine is expected to produce more than 4 million drones of various types, solidifying its status as a global leader in drone production. While most of these will be small FPV (first-person view) models, there will also be a significant number of long-range combat drones and designs for conducting aerial reconnaissance.
Interest in Ukrainian technology
Countries like South Korea and the United States have previously shown interest in the experiences of the Ukrainian army. "The Wall Street Journal" reported that the Department of Defense awarded initial contracts to American-Ukrainian partnerships responsible for developing drones that could soon enhance the U.S. military's capabilities.
According to Ukrainian media, the latest version of the Shark drone is capable of observing, identifying, and recognizing objects from great distances and significant altitudes. The newest Shark is also expected to have a flight range of about 260 miles and an extended flight time of up to 7 hours. This drone is launched into the air using a catapult.
The Czech Republic is joining the ranks of countries interested in leveraging Ukrainian expertise and drones developed there. As an ally of Kyiv, Prague regularly supplies weapons from its resources, such as T-72M1 tanks, and undertakes international initiatives to strengthen the army fighting Russia. One such initiative has resulted in significant amounts of 155 mm and 122 mm artillery shells reaching the front lines.
