Ukraine unveils game-changing drone to intercept Russian threats
The Ukrainian defense industry has unveiled a new type of drone designed to intercept Russian "Shaheds." The presentation took place during the visit of Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever to Kyiv. The drone, which has already destroyed over 20 "Shaheds," can also target smaller objectives like reconnaissance drones, reports the Ukrainian service Militarny.
Ukrainian specialists are intensively working on creating cheap and efficient drones to replace expensive anti-aircraft missiles. The new technologies aim to effectively combat low-flying and small targets, which are crucial in the current conflict. One of the recent outcomes of their work is a drone capable of countering "Shaheds," which present a real challenge for Ukrainian soldiers.
Ukraine has a way to counter "Shaheds"
According to the service, the new drone reaches speeds of up to 124 mph and can fly at altitudes of up to 3 miles. Although detailed technical data has not been disclosed, the creators emphasize its effectiveness as the most efficient tool for intercepting "Shaheds" in the arsenal of the Ukrainian defense forces. A recording showing this unmanned aerial vehicle was published on social media by the President of Ukraine. It can be seen below:
During the Belgian delegation's visit, cooperation in defense production was also discussed. Militarny reminds us that in November 2024, a memorandum was signed with Thales Belgium for the joint manufacture of 70-mm rockets. The Belgian company will assist Ukraine in producing FZ275 LGR rockets, which are equipped with homing warheads. It is also worth mentioning that Belgium is one of the countries transferring F-16 fighters to Ukraine.
Shahed drones in Ukraine
The Shahed-136 and Shahed-131 unmanned aerial vehicles are some of the most used offensive drones by Russia. Although they formally originate from Iran, they have long been a significant element of Russian air attacks, mainly against critical infrastructure and civilian targets. Their presence in the skies over Ukraine is not only a challenge for air defense but also evidence of increasing cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.
The Shahed-136 is the larger and more destructive variant of the two. This drone is about 11.5 feet long, has a wingspan of 8 feet, and weighs around 441 pounds. It is powered by a piston engine, structurally reminiscent of old aircraft engines, allowing it to reach a range of up to 1,553 miles. This makes it not only relatively cheap but also a challenging tool to detect, especially during mass attacks.
The Shahed-136 carries a warhead weighing approximately 66-110 pounds, sufficient to destroy small infrastructure objects like transformers, warehouses, or relay stations. In practice, it is used as a loitering munition – once launched, it doesn't return, and its purpose is a kamikaze strike on a designated point.
The Shahed-131 is a smaller and slightly lighter variant. It is about 8.5 feet long, with a takeoff weight not exceeding 298 pounds, and a wingspan of just over 6.5 feet. It also has a shorter range—estimated at about 559 to 621 miles—and a lighter warhead, weighing about 22-33 pounds. Despite this, it still poses a real threat, particularly as a tool to confuse air defenses or attack point targets.
