The Air Force predicts when the shortage of interceptor drones will end
The Ukrainian Air Force expects to receive the necessary number of drone interceptors no earlier than the end of November.
Currently, the military is collaborating with about 20 companies, 14 of which are already conducting test flights, and six have demonstrated practical results in destroying aerial targets. One such system has already been adopted for service, and two others—including the “Predator” model—have been codified. Production is currently limited to dozens of units due to the high cost of development; however, the army is simultaneously training specialists to operate these aircraft, which can reach speeds of 500–700 km/h.
This was reported during a meeting of the Temporary Investigative Commission by Colonel Yuriy Cherevashchenko, deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, according to “Ukrinform.”
The Ukrainian Air Force is currently about 75% staffed with drone pilots; however, the main bottleneck in air defense today lies in technological solutions, not a shortage of personnel.
Ukraine is testing two new systems simultaneously to counter Russian jet drones. These are the Ukrainian-made “Nika” small missile and the SPYS interceptor, which is being developed jointly with Germany. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that tests of the SPYS have already yielded positive results.
