Zelensky: Another interceptor against jet-powered drones tested in Ukraine

Another interceptor designed to counter Russian jet-powered drones has been successfully tested in Ukraine. During the test, the development managed to hit a “Shahed,” but the interceptor's control system still needs refinement.

President Volodymyr Zelensky reported this on September 15 following a report by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi. According to the head of state, Ukrainian manufacturers have made a “new step” in developing countermeasures against high-speed Russian drones.

The “Shahed” was successfully hit during the trial. At the same time, Zelensky noted that developers need to improve certain aspects of the interceptor's control. Work on the system will continue, and more time will be needed for its final refinement. The name of the new interceptor, its manufacturer, and technical specifications are not disclosed.

The test was a continuation of Ukraine’s accelerated program to create countermeasures against jet-powered “Shaheds.” As early as September 14, Zelensky reported that a new generation of interceptor drones is being tested in the country and that the financial basis for this work has already been secured. At that time, the president discussed with Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara and Drapatyi measures that should accelerate obtaining a working solution in the necessary quantities.

In early September, the production of such systems was separately discussed at a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Zelensky stated then that Ukrainian companies have already developed prototypes of high-speed interceptors, but they need to be brought to the required level of efficiency. The state also intends to involve business in the production, supply, and configuration of certain types of air defense systems.

The strategic task, according to the president, is to create a sufficient number of high-speed interceptor drones and relatively inexpensive missiles to protect against new Russian means of attack. The need for such developments stems from Russia increasing its use of faster jet-powered drones.

Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara reported on August 30 that by that time there were four potential interceptors in Ukraine capable of destroying jet-powered “Shaheds.” All four solutions had already passed field tests. Khmara named their refinement and subsequent scaling of production to thousands of units as the next task for the Ministry of Defense.

At the same time, some Ukrainian solutions have already reached operational use by the military. On August 21, the Ministry of Defense announced that the first Ukrainian jet-powered interceptor drone, Alexa Spatium, had joined the arsenal of the Defense Forces. It is also designed, among other things, to destroy Russian strike drones. The Ministry of Defense stated that the system had passed tests and confirmed the characteristics declared by the developer.

However, Zelensky did not specify whether the interceptor successfully tested on September 15 is related to Alexa Spatium or whether it is another Ukrainian development.

Based on materials from: Volodymyr Zelensky, Office of the President of Ukraine, ArmyInform, Ministry of Defense of Ukraine