Zelenskyy: Ukraine's new anti-Shahed drones pass combat tests
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
In Ukraine, two domestic companies have successfully conducted combat tests of new interceptor drones, shooting down a Russian jet-powered Shahed, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced during his speech at the Carpathian Initiative (C8) summit.
The head of state emphasized that Ukrainian developers had demonstrated the effectiveness of the new air defense systems in real combat conditions.
“Interceptors for jet-powered “shaheds” from two companies have already successfully passed combat trials. Enemy “shaheds” were destroyed at high speed. This is a major positive,” the president said.
Zelenskyy said the government wants to see all the test results and determine how to accelerate the launch of mass production as much as possible. The president noted that “we are in talks with these companies, and contracts are already being signed.”
Seeking funding
According to the president, 67 companies in Ukraine are working on interceptors designed to counter the enemy’s jet-powered drones.
Zelenskyy stressed that the successful results from the two developers are encouraging for the entire industry, but funding must be secured to launch mass production. He said work on the issue is ongoing.
“Yesterday, we spoke with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. We will meet in the near future. We are preparing proposals on how to address the funding shortfall,” the president said.
Earlier, Zelenskyy said that countering jet-powered Shaheds was the main challenge facing Ukraine’s defense industry. According to the president, new designs are being developed and tested at an accelerated pace.
The president also previously said that Ukraine needs joint weapons production with its partners to counter Russia’s jet-powered drones.
