Ukraine upgrades electronic warfare to counter Russian drones: ISW
Photo: Ukraine continues to successfully adapt its EW against Russian drones (Getty Images)
Ukraine continues to successfully adapt and develop its electronic warfare (EW) systems against Russian drones, helping to alleviate the pressure on air defenses, report the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and Militarnyi.
"Ukraine continues to successfully adapt and develop its anti-drone capabilities, allowing Ukrainian forces to leverage lower-end systems to offset Russian pressures on Ukraine's limited air defense umbrella,'" the report states.
The ISW notes that Ukrainian officials recently reported that some Russian Shahed drones failed to reach their targets for unspecified reasons, but the Ukrainian Air Force acknowledged on August 31 and September 6 that Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) systems had impacted these drones.
Analysts also point out that the Ukrainian drone manufacturer Besomar has developed an interceptor drone capable of downing unidentified Russian drones, and that these interceptor drones are already being used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the combat zone.
"These Ukrainian countermeasures are part of wider efforts aimed at offsetting the pressure that repeated, large-scale Russian strike series exert on Ukraine's limited air defense umbrella in the face of delayed and inconsistent deliveries of Western security assistance," the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) concludes.
According to ISW, Ukraine's use of EW to counter Shahed drones will specifically "allow Ukrainian forces to conserve the limited air defense systems and missiles that Ukraine needs to protect against Russian missile strikes targeting Ukrainian frontline areas, critical infrastructure, and major population centers."
"Russian and Ukrainian forces are engaged in a technological offense-defense race and that Ukraine's ability to field technological innovations at scale ahead of Russian adaptations is crucial for Ukraine's ability to offset Russia's current materiel advantages," the analysts summarize in the report.
About the interceptor drone
The "kamikaze interceptor," an aircraft-type drone, intercepts Russian drones by approaching them. It is also capable of reconnaissance missions and can fly for up to two and a half hours.
According to Militarnyi, the design allows for the installation of two batteries, enabling the drone to fly a distance of 50-60 km. It can ascend to an altitude of up to 4 km and travel at speeds of 160-170 km/h.
"Kamikaze interceptor" (mil.in.ua)
Recent versions of the interceptor drone have also been equipped with an air brake, allowing it to directly engage and neutralize enemy drones in a timely manner without bypassing them. Besomar has announced that it is currently capable of producing up to 100 of these drones per month.
Earlier reports indicated that Iran recently delivered over 200 Fateh-360 missiles to Russia. It is likely that these will be used by Russia to target Ukrainian infrastructure.
