Ukraine's defense minister, Denys Shmyhal, announced on 23/7 that the government is fostering a domestic market for interceptor drones. "Three manufacturers received contracts on 22/7, bringing the total to four contracts worth over 3 billion hryvnia ($72 million). We will continue to scale this technology," Shmyhal stated.

He emphasized Ukraine's focus on interceptor drones capable of countering Russia's Geran-2 long-range suicide UAVs, stating, "President Volodymyr Zelensky tasked us with developing this sector."

Minister Shmyhal at a meeting with the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on 21/7. Image: X/Denys_Shmyhal

Minister Shmyhal at a meeting with the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on 21/7. Image: X/Denys_Shmyhal

The Ministry of Defense is working with major state-owned banks to secure state-guaranteed loans for drone manufacturers, according to Shmyhal. The ministry is also negotiating with partners to secure additional funding for interceptor drones and has reached preliminary agreements.

Interceptor drones are designed to neutralize enemy drones, primarily by colliding with them.

Ukrainian forces have been using first-person view (FPV) drones to counter Russian reconnaissance and suicide UAVs. However, the Geran-2's increased speed and altitude necessitate specialized interceptor drones.

President Zelensky stated on 10/7 that Russia could be deploying up to 1,000 UAVs daily against Ukraine, but Kyiv could potentially neutralize them all with interceptor drones. "We can achieve this if our partners acknowledge everything I've shared and the budget is allocated appropriately," he said.

Beyond shortages of missiles and air defense systems, Russia's altered Geran-2 tactics pose a challenge. The UAVs now fly more erratically and at higher altitudes, exceeding the range of mobile anti-aircraft gun units, negating one of Ukraine's cost-effective defense strategies.

Interceptor drones offer an economical alternative to air defense missiles. The Ukrainian drone force indicated that an interceptor drone costs around $5,000, significantly less than a missile, though they didn't specify the model.

Ukraine's ODIN Win_Hit interceptor drone in a photo posted on 16/7. Image: Militarnyi

Ukraine's ODIN Win_Hit interceptor drone in a photo posted on 16/7. Image: Militarnyi

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, announced the "Clear Sky" defense project on 11/7, which will deploy domestically produced interceptor drones to protect the city from Russian UAVs.

The project has a $6.2 million budget for equipment, a training center for drone pilots, and additional mobile air defense units in Kyiv and the surrounding area.

Arsen Zhumadilov, director of the Ukrainian Defense Procurement Agency, stated on 14/7 that contracts for tens of thousands of interceptor drones have been signed.

Pham Giang (RBC Ukraine, Ukrainska Pravda)