The 28th Mechanized Infantry Brigade of Ukraine stated on 4/8, "The Russian air force is a threat not only to cities but also to the front lines. Their planes, helicopters, and reconnaissance UAVs regularly appear above our infantry positions".

Previously, this unit typically used man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) to counter enemy aircraft, but the situation has changed. "First-person view (FPV) drones swarm the sky and track every movement, making it impossible for soldiers hiding in trenches to even raise their heads," the 28th Brigade explained.

Ukrainian air defense UGV firing a missile in a photo released on 4/8. Photo: 28th Brigade of Ukraine

In response, they have mounted a 9K38 Igla MANPADS onto an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), creating the Ukrainian army's first ground-based drone air defense system. The Igla is a Soviet-era missile with a maximum range of 5 km and can engage targets traveling at speeds of up to 1,300 km/h, beyond the capabilities of mobile air defense teams armed with machine guns.

It is unclear whether this system has been deployed in actual combat.

The conflict in Ukraine has ignited an arms race, with both sides actively developing and deploying new technologies to gain an advantage on the battlefield. One of the most focused areas is drones, with various types being used in the air, at sea, and on the ground.

The Ukrainian military has experimented with mounting automatic machine gun turrets on UGVs, allowing soldiers to attack enemy defensive positions without exposing themselves. Other options include 12.7 mm machine guns and grenade launchers.

A Ukrainian company reported developing a UGV capable of carrying and launching FPV drones, acting as a "mothership" and extending the drones' operational range. Some UGV models can also perform other tasks, such as carrying ammunition, evacuating casualties, laying mines, and carrying out suicide attacks against armored vehicles.

Pham Giang (According to Business Insider)