Kharkiv plans to create dome against FPV drones - Military Administration
Photo: Kharkiv plans to create a protective dome against drones (Getty Images)
Kharkiv is launching an experimental active defense system against FPV drones, including fiber-optic-guided ones. If the pilot project proves successful, authorities plan to expand the protection across the entire city, according to Oleh Syniehubov, Kharkiv Regional Military Administration head, in an interview with Radio Khartia.
What the project involves
The pilot active-defense project has been under development for the past week in cooperation with the National Guard of Ukraine's 2nd Corps, Khartia. The Kharkiv Regional Military Administration has not disclosed the exact area where it will be deployed.
The initiative is based on solutions already being used on the battlefield but adapted for an urban environment.
"The military is also experimenting and searching for active countermeasures. For the past week, we have been working with the National Guard's 2nd Corps, Khartia, on an experimental project that will be implemented in a specific area. If it proves successful, we will expand it across the entire city and create a protective dome around Kharkiv against fiber-optic FPV drones," Syniehubov said.
Funding
The experiment will be financed from the regional budget. Expanding the system citywide will require additional funding, including through the United24 platform.
"The work is extremely complex. The technology is complex, and the funding requirements are significant. Once it demonstrates its effectiveness, we will seek funding through United24 and possibly other sources as well. For us, this is a priority and our responsibility — to protect the city and its civilian population," the regional governor added.
Three layers of defense
Active countermeasures against FPV drones will form part of a three-layer defense system for Kharkiv. The second layer will consist of passive protection — anti-drone nets installed along the entire ring road, rather than only on its northern sections.
Anti-drone nets will also be installed along Kharkiv Highway from the ring road to its intersection with Academician Proskura Street.
The third layer will include additional mobile fire groups tasked with shooting down FPV drones. According to Syniehubov, these could consist of personnel armed with shotguns or automated turrets designed to destroy targets that penetrate the first two layers of defense.
How many drones reach Kharkiv
According to the regional administration, only a small number of drones currently reach the city out of the hundreds launched by Russian forces. Without the existing protection measures, as many as 100 fiber-optic FPV drones could be operating over Kharkiv every day.
"This is already being used on the battlefield, but it has been adapted to the specific situation and requirements we face. It will definitely be effective. We are now moving forward with its implementation," the regional governor added.
In late June, Syniehubov announced the installation of anti-drone nets on the outskirts of Kharkiv in response to an increase in Russian drone attacks.
Ukraine also launched serial production this summer of the Chipa net-launcher system, designed to intercept FPV drones at close range.
