Ukraine's new drone tech aims Russian "Shaheds"
The Ukrainian defence industry has unveiled a new type of drone designed to intercept Russian "Shaheds." The presentation occurred during Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever's visit to Kyiv. The drone, which has already destroyed over 20 "Shaheds," can also target smaller objectives like reconnaissance drones, reports the Ukrainian service Militarny.
Ukrainian specialists are intensively working on creating affordable and efficient drones to replace costly anti-aircraft missiles. The new technologies are designed to effectively combat low-flying and small targets, a crucial need in the current conflict. One of their recent achievements is a drone capable of countering "Shaheds," which pose a significant challenge for Ukrainian soldiers.
Ukraine has a way to counter "Shaheds"
According to the service, the new drone reaches speeds of up to 200 km/h (124 mph) and can fly at altitudes up to 5 km (3 miles). Although detailed technical data has not been disclosed, the creators highlight its effectiveness as the most efficient tool for intercepting "Shaheds" within the Ukrainian defence forces' arsenal. A video showcasing this unmanned aerial vehicle was shared on social media by the President of Ukraine and can be viewed below:
During the Belgian delegation's visit, discussions on cooperation in defence production were also held. Militarny reminds us that in November 2024, a memorandum was signed with Thales Belgium for the joint manufacture of 70-mm rockets. The Belgian company will aid Ukraine in producing FZ275 LGR rockets equipped with homing warheads. It is also worth noting that Belgium is one of the countries that transferred F-16 fighters to Ukraine.
Shahed drones in Ukraine
The Shahed-136 and Shahed-131 unmanned aerial vehicles are among Russia's most frequently used offensive drones. Although they are officially from Iran, they have become a significant element of Russian air attacks, primarily against critical infrastructure and civilian targets. Their presence in the skies over Ukraine is a challenge for air defence and evidence of growing cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.
The Shahed-136 is the larger and more destructive variant of the two. This drone is about 3.5 metres (11.5 feet) long, has a wingspan of 2.5 metres (8 feet), and weighs around 200 kg (441 pounds). It is powered by a piston engine, reminiscent of old aircraft engines, giving it a range of up to 2,500 km (1,553 miles). This makes it relatively cheap and difficult to detect, especially during mass attacks.
The Shahed-136 carries a warhead weighing approximately 30-50 kg (66-110 pounds) to destroy small infrastructure objects like transformers, warehouses, or relay stations. In practice, it operates as a loitering munition—once launched, it does not return and is intended for a kamikaze strike on a designated point.
The Shahed-131 is a smaller and slightly lighter variant. It is about 2.6 metres (8.5 feet) long, with a takeoff weight not exceeding 135 kg (298 pounds), and a wingspan of just over 2 metres (6.5 feet). It also has a shorter range, estimated at 900 to 1,000 km (559 to 621 miles), and a lighter warhead weighing about 10-15 kg (22-33 pounds). Despite this, it still poses a real threat, particularly as a tool to confuse air defences or to attack specific targets.
