No cause for panic: Expert reassures Ukraine can shoot down jet-powered Shahed drones
Photo: Iranian Shahed-238 jet-powered UAV (wikipedia.org)
Jet-powered Shahed-type attack drones recently used by Russian forces are not invulnerable. In fact, there are many ways to shoot down such drones. In some cases, it's even easier than destroying a traditional Shahed with a propeller engine, stated aviation expert Valerii Romanenko in a comment to RBC-Ukraine’s YouTube channel.
Romanenko confirmed that on July 30, Russia used eight jet-powered Shaheds against Ukraine, but this happened in the northern direction. He recalled that Russian forces first attempted to use jet-powered drones back in January 2024. As it turns out, these drones are highly vulnerable to MANPADS (man-portable air-defense systems).
"If it has a jet engine, it generates a heat signature. And all missiles with infrared homing heads - those that lock onto heat sources - will target these Shaheds. Every mobile unit is equipped with MANPADS: either American Stingers, highly effective Polish systems, or older Soviet Strela systems," the expert explained.
Jet-powered Shaheds may pose some challenges for mobile fire teams, but they are not a problem for anti-aircraft artillery equipped with radar or electronic-guided munitions.
According to the expert, Gepards can easily shoot them down.
"They’re capable of shooting down cruise missiles that fly twice as fast," Romanenko added.
Therefore, the expert believes there’s no reason to panic. Russia won’t be able to deploy these drones on a large scale. While they may cause difficulties for mobile fire groups and AI-less interceptor drones due to the speed difference.
However, this speed also makes them highly vulnerable to other components of Ukraine’s air defense. Specifically, jet-powered drones are easier targets for fighter jets, which can engage high-speed threats more effectively.
"Short-range heat-seeking missiles — and an F-16 can carry up to six of them — are perfectly suited for this. In addition, a higher speed is comfortable for the aircraft if such a Shahed has a speed of 450 km. This is comfortable for a fighter jet; it is not the 200 km speed of a Shahed. A fighter can easily pursue and shoot it down with its cannon," Romanenko explained.
As a result, Ukraine’s air defense needs to reconfigure its strategy in terms of target allocation. There’s no reason to claim there’s no effective countermeasure.
Earlier, Romanenko also explained why Russia won’t be able to fully switch to jet-powered Shaheds — they are too expensive. One jet-powered version of the Iranian drone costs three times more than the variant with a traditional engine.
Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that during the attack on Kyiv overnight on July 31, Russian forces likely used jet-powered Shaheds. This was confirmed by Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat, who noted that such drones are relatively difficult to detect.
