Ukraine develops Shahed-like kamikaze drone with 800 km range
Photo: Ukraine has developed a Shahed-like drone Batyar (Getty Images)
Ukrainian company DeepStrikeTech has launched production of a new strike drone Batyar, which visually resembles the Iranian Shahed and is capable of flying over 800 kilometers, Militarnyi reports.
Initially, the Batyar was developed as a kamikaze drone for deep-strike missions. However, over time, its capabilities have been expanded.
It can now be used as a decoy, a bomber, or a front-line kamikaze drone, depending on the payload and software configuration.
The drone features a gasoline engine and weighs 16 kilograms. In its long-range version, it can carry a warhead weighing up to 18 kilograms and cover distances exceeding 800 kilometers.
One of the key goals behind the development of the Batyar drone was to create a lightweight UAV that can be launched from a catapult or a vehicle without the need for prepared runways or specialized equipment. This makes the drone highly mobile and well-suited for combat conditions.
According to the company, the drone is capable of maintaining its course even if damaged, including during a dive toward its target.
Visually, the Batyar resembles the Russian-Iranian Shahed drone, but the similarity is only external. Its aerodynamic characteristics were independently calculated by Ukrainian engineers using Western technical documentation.
Weapons production in Ukraine
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has significantly increased its domestic weapons production. This includes:
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drones,
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robotic systems,
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missiles,
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and other strike capabilities.
Recently, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov unveiled a new Ukrainian-made UAV system capable of carrying six FPV drones simultaneously, which also functions as a relay station.
Earlier this month, Ukraine conducted its first test of fiber-optic FPV drones with a range of over 20 kilometers.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently instructed defense officials to accelerate the production of a Ukrainian-made ballistic missile. He issued the order during a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, emphasizing that such missiles will serve as a strong guarantee of Ukraine’s security.
In 2024 alone, Ukraine produced $9 billion worth of weapons, with missile production seeing a sharp increase.
On May 6, Kyiv hosted an exhibition showcasing the latest Ukrainian weaponry, including long-range drones and more.
