EU's anti-drone solutions grab Russia's attention amidst rising global threats

Anti-aircraft defense represents the peak of military technology in terms of technological progress and cost. With radars that can detect and track minute objects from hundreds of miles away, missiles capable of "hitting a tennis ball flying at the speed of sound," or ballistic missiles descending on a target at a velocity of 12,427 miles per hour, this equipment is sophisticated and exceptionally expensive.

Therefore, the extensive, intensive use of anti-aircraft missiles is viable only under certain conditions: either when confrontations are brief or when, as in the cases of Israel’s conflict with Hamas or the United States’ engagement with Huthi, there's a huge disproportion in terms of resources.

When the forces are more balanced and the conflict lasts for months or years, the war becomes an economic standoff. Then, the cost-effectiveness ratio becomes as crucial as the weapon's effectiveness.

Even Israel, for instance, firing Tamir missiles, which cost between $40,000 and $100,000, at homemade Kassam rockets costing $1,500, must optimize costs. In such situations, high hopes are pinned on laser weapons that reduce the cost of a shot to merely the cost of electricity.

The problem remains that while combat lasers are gradually being introduced into service worldwide, they are still far from infallible. A case in point are the skirmishes of the US Navy with Huthi, where ships, despite being equipped with laser weapons, still engage incoming missiles with rockets.

This is a modernized, enhanced version of the old ZU-23-2 sets, which, thanks to automation and built-in sensors, can effectively and cost-effectively counter various types of aerial targets, including drones.

Moreover, a similar but more powerful solution, due to its caliber, was also developed by PIT Radwar. The relic of the Loara program implemented years ago is a license for 35 mm caliber KDA guns.

This weapon was utilized in marine AM-35 sets, and in a full anti-aircraft system developed by PIT Radwar. In addition to the mobile radar BYSTRA and the fire control WG-35 vehicle, an automatic 35mm gun AG-35, mounted on a Jelcz chassis, was used.

As you can see, the solutions are in place. Still, their implementation and regular use by the military is ultimately a decision for the Ministry of National Defense, which now has the chance to fortify anti-drone defense with existing solutions produced by the Polish industry.

It's worth noting that for many years, weaponry designed to physically annihilate drones remained overshadowed by anti-aircraft systems. Anti-drone capabilities were developed in parallel to creating short-range air defense (SHORAD) or very short-range air defense (VSHORAD) systems.

The capability to destroy drones is also a collateral outcome of the earlier development of C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) systems used to intercept rockets, artillery, and mortar shells. Recent global weapons fairs show that this is changing, and the threat from drones is being accorded increasing attention.

This shift can also be observed in the equipment supplied to Ukraine. In addition to older Gepard systems, defenders have received new German Skynex systems or British Terrahawk Paladin.

Furthermore, apart from artillery systems, there are propositions for developing affordable and rudimentary anti-aircraft missiles, which would be cost-efficient when used against targets such as Shahids.

One good example is the Spanish weapons development programs for combating drones, approved for 2024. While one program aims to build an artillery system, the other focuses on a light missile.

Based on the anti-tank grenade launcher Alcotan 100, the reusable launcher is equipped with a laser rangefinder, a temperature sensor, and an electronic fire control system, among other features.

The anti-aircraft missile designed for it first revealed in 2023, weighs just 6.6 lbs and is less than a meter long. Work on this weapon is projected to finish in 2025, resulting in a basic, very inexpensive, and potentially mass-produced anti-drone set.

If successful, it could fill a gap that — for now — the Russians are keen to exploit, overwhelming their opponents with a swarm of Shaheds. The new threat has elicited a response from weapon manufacturers, which could soon strip Moscow of one of its advantages.