Ukraine and France work on cheap interceptors of jet 'Shaheds'

Ukraine and France are working on finding effective means to destroy Russian jet 'Shaheds'. One of Kyiv's priorities is cheap interceptor drones, which should allow not spending expensive anti-aircraft missiles on massive drone attacks.

The topic was discussed by Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhen Khymara and French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the parties separately focused on countering jet attack drones. Ukraine is interested in both additional supplies of already proven air defense means and the development of new solutions. Particular emphasis was placed on cheap interceptor drones.

However, the Ministry of Defense's message does not mention an already concluded separate agreement with France on joint production of a specific model of such an interceptor. Currently, the parties declare a joint search for effective solutions to combat jet 'Shaheds'.

Another direction of negotiations was strengthening the combat capabilities of French Mirage fighters transferred to Ukraine. The parties discussed further supply of ammunition for these aircraft. Khymara also thanked France for the prompt transfer of additional means to combat air targets.

The need for new interceptors has increased after Russia began more actively using jet versions of attack drones. They have significantly higher speed than conventional 'Shaheds', so traditional interceptor drones designed for slower targets cannot always effectively catch up with them.

Ukraine is already developing its own jet interception systems. According to the Ministry of Defense, one of the tasks for Ukrainian manufacturers is the creation and scaling of jet interceptor drones, as well as alternative guidance systems capable of operating in difficult weather conditions.

The emphasis on unmanned interceptors is primarily related to their cost. The Ministry of Defense previously noted that such systems can be hundreds of times cheaper than traditional anti-aircraft missiles and tens of times cheaper than the attack drones themselves, which allows scaling protection against massive attacks.

In addition to combating drones, Khymara and Vautrin discussed joint defense industry projects and the FREYJA anti-ballistic initiative. Ukraine and France previously agreed to expand joint weapons production and use, in particular, European funding mechanisms for such projects.

Based on materials: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Ministry of Defense of Ukraine