Ukraine's Shvidun drone: What we know about one of the most effective Shahed interceptors
Photo: Shahed attack UAVs (Getty Images)
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has codified and approved the domestically produced Shvidun drone for use by the Armed Forces. It boasts one of the highest interception rates against enemy Shahed drones, according to the Ukrainian MoD.
According to the report, the Shvidun unmanned aerial system was specifically developed to intercept strike drones such as the Shahed-136, Geran, and Gerbera, as well as reconnaissance drones including Zala, Supercam, and Skat.
Specifications of Shvidun drone
The Shvidun UAS is made of durable composite materials. It weighs around 8 kg and has a wingspan of nearly 2 m. The drone can reach altitudes of up to 6 km and speeds exceeding 250 km/h.
Its operational range surpasses 70 km, allowing it to effectively cover airspace over Ukrainian cities.
Thanks to innovative engineering solutions, the Shvidun's airframe experiences no flutter (vibration) at high speeds, ensuring a clear image for the operator.
The Ministry of Defense also emphasized that the drone maintains low takeoff and landing speeds despite its high maximum flight speed.
This enables it to return safely if a target is lost and be reused. Overall, the drone can remain airborne for more than two hours.
Photo: Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has approved the domestically produced Shvidun drone for use (facebook.com/MinistryofDefence)
Effectiveness of the Shvidun
The first units are already in operation, protecting Ukrainian cities. Currently, the Shvidun UAS has one of the highest interception success rates against enemy Shahed drones among Ukrainian interceptor drones.
According to the Defense Ministry, nearly 100 Russian drones have already been destroyed using this system.
Earlier, the Ministry of Defense also approved the new Ukrainian interceptor drone JEDI Shahed Hunter, which can automatically detect and destroy enemy UAVs.
