Shahed drones' enhanced capabilities challenge Ukraine's defences
Russia has implemented improvements in Shahed drones, increasing their effectiveness in attacks on Ukraine, reports the Ukrainian agency Unian.
The Russian armed forces have made significant changes to the Shahed drones, now used in attacks on Ukraine. According to Yaroslav Honchar, head of the non-governmental organization Aerorozvidka, the Russians are using Shaheds that carry thermobaric ammunition. This enhancement improves the effectiveness of these unmanned aerial vehicles, especially in enclosed spaces, as he explained.
New technologies in drones
Yaroslav Honchar, an expert from the Aerorozvidka organization, emphasizes that Russia has modified the drones' construction. Composite materials are now being used, and the number of navigation antennas has increased. This combination results in Iranian-origin drones having a reduced reflective surface. Shaheds are now more challenging to counter using Ukrainian electronic warfare measures.
Honchar notes that Russia has been developing its electronic warfare technologies for years, making their drones more advanced. "It would be strange if no technological changes occurred over three years," the expert stated.
The expert also highlighted the replacement of the fragmentation warhead with a thermobaric missile in the Shaheds. "If such a strike hits a window of a house and the explosion occurs inside, the destructive force of the thermobaric explosion will exceed that of fragmentation ammunition," observed Honchar as quoted by Unian.
Challenges for Ukrainian defence
Ukrainian defence forces face the challenge of effectively countering the new drones. Unian explains that producers of electronic warfare systems indicate that today, automation of defence systems is necessary because current mobile air defence groups are insufficient.
Let us recall: Shahed-136 drones are characterized by delta-shaped wings, which are about 3.35 metres long, with a wingspan of about 2.44 metres. They can transport combat loads weighing up to 40 kilograms. By utilizing a Limbach L550E engine, these drones reach a maximum speed of approximately 185 kilometres per hour. This configuration makes them effective in various military missions.
