Ukraine is making significant investments in developing a “drone air defense network” as a strategic plan to fend off Russian airstrikes with low-cost, high-efficiency interceptor drones and reduce reliance on external guided missiles. President Zelensky recently revealed that the system will cost $6 billion for the production of interceptor drones with a goal of producing 1,000 units per day.
During the clashes between Russia and Ukraine, drones have gradually replaced traditional long-range missiles, field artillery, and human intelligence operations, disrupting the battlefield dynamics. Both sides have adopted drones as their primary means of combat, which is undoubtedly a major advantage for Ukraine, facing economic downturn and dwindling missile stockpiles.
Due to limited or delayed military aid from allies, Ukraine’s air defense missile stockpile is becoming increasingly tight. The largest military charity organization in Ukraine, “Come Back Alive,” has been raising funds since last year to provide interceptor drones to 90 units. These interceptors have successfully taken down over 3,000 Russian drones, with approximately 1,500 shot down in the past two months, including reconnaissance drones and drones bombing towns.
“Come Back Alive” organization reported that the total value of the downed Russian aircraft amounted to $195 million, over ten times the cost of the drones and equipment they provided. Colonel Serhiy Nonka, the commander of Ukraine’s 1129th Air Defense Division, stated that using interceptor drones to take out enemy drones has an estimated cost of about one-fifth of a missile.
Nonka mentioned that Russian reconnaissance drones are now finding it difficult to penetrate deep into Ukrainian defense lines. Some estimates suggest that the interceptor drones used by Ukrainian forces travel at speeds exceeding 300 kilometers per hour (approximately 190 miles per hour), but specific data is closely guarded.
Most of the drones used by the military unit are provided by military charity organizations. Zelensky highlighted that Ukrainian forces have successfully shot down Russian long-range “Shahed” drones targeting cities like Kyiv using interceptor drones, sometimes intercepting dozens in a single night. He hopes that leveraging the low cost and mass production advantages of drones will become a new cost-effective battlefield tool to replace expensive air defense missiles.
Sam Bendett, a senior researcher at the Center for a New American Security, pointed out that while the Russians are struggling to counter Ukraine’s interceptor drones, they are also working to develop similar drones for their defense.
Bendett stated, “We are seeing more and more videos of drones being intercepted by both sides. I believe this phenomenon will accelerate and become more common in the coming weeks.”
Ukrainian officer Oleksiy Barsuk mentioned that initially, enemy drones flew at relatively low altitudes (around 800 to 1000 meters) due to limited reconnaissance and attack capabilities. Now, the enemy drones are flying higher, reaching altitudes of 3000 to 5000 meters, yet their camera zoom capabilities remain limited and unable to magnify distant details infinitely.
Analysts point out that for Ukraine to build a robust air defense network, interceptor drones must have greater speed and firepower than long-range attack and reconnaissance drones. Moreover, interceptor drones still face challenges against missiles and Russia’s latest deployment of high-speed jet attack drones.