Czech army eyes cutting-edge Ukrainian drone technology
The Ukrainian Shark drone has caught the interest of the Czech army. This is yet another recent example demonstrating that allied countries supporting Kyiv with various military equipment are eager to leverage Ukrainian experiences and technologies related to unmanned aerial vehicles. Ukraine is currently a leader in producing such equipment, recognized by countries including the U.S. and South Korea.
The Shark is a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone that has been successfully used on the front lines. Photos from field tests of this UAV were published on the official Facebook profile of the Czech army, conducted under conditions meant to reflect the realities of modern warfare.
The Czech army showed interest in the Ukrainian drone
The test scenarios aimed to mimic contemporary wartime conditions, including operations in situations where the enemy disrupts navigation and communication signals. Ukrainian experiences are invaluable in this realm. The conflict with Russia is referred to as a "drone war," with the Ukrainian army utilizing various UAVs developed by local companies.
In February, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha revealed that in 2025 alone, Ukraine is expected to produce over 4 million drones of various types, positioning the country as a global leader in drone production. While most of these will be small FPV (first-person view) models, there will also be long-range combat drones and designs for aerial reconnaissance.
Interest in Ukrainian technology
Previously, countries like South Korea and the United States have expressed interest in the experiences of the Ukrainian army. "The Wall Street Journal" reported that the Department of Defense has awarded initial contracts to American-Ukrainian partnerships developing drones that could soon bolster the U.S. military.
According to Ukrainian media, the latest version of the Shark drone can observe, identify, and recognize objects from a great distance and significant altitude. The newest Shark is expected to have a flight range of up to about 420 kilometres and an extended flight time of up to 7 hours. This drone is launched from a catapult.
The Czech Republic is joining the ranks of countries eager to utilize Ukrainian experiences and the drones developed there. Prague is an ally of Kyiv, consistently supplying it with weapons from its own resources (including T-72M1 tanks) and undertaking international initiatives to strengthen the army fighting Russia. Thanks to one of these efforts, significant quantities of artillery shells, including calibres of 155 mm and 122 mm, are reaching the front.
