Ukrainian Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov unveiled that Ukraine is researching and developing drones that can fight and bring down other drones.
In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov described Russia’s war in Ukraine as the first major war of the Internet era. He credited drones and satellite Internet systems such as Elon Musk’s Starlink with transforming the conflict.
Ukraine uses a wide range of drones and unmanned aerial systems, of different characteristics and origins, such as the Turkish Bayraktar, capable of missions from reconnaissance to attack, or small commercial drones such as the Mavic 3, used by the troop for scouting the vicinity.
“And the next stage, now that we are more or less equipped with reconnaissance drones, are attack drones,” Fedorov said. “These are both explosive drones and drones that fly between 3 and 10 kilometers and hit targets.”
He predicted “more missions with attack drones” in the future, but declined to elaborate. “We are talking about drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), UAVs that we are developing in Ukraine. In any case, it will be the next step in the development of technologies,” he said in the interview.
But the most interesting resulted in the statement that Ukraine would be working on the development of drones that can fight and strike down other drones.
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It should be noted that on the Ukrainian battlefield there are historical developments in the use of drones, some of which until recently existed only in the speculations and projections of experts in the field.
The first naval attack by a drone during an armed conflict was carried out by a Bayraktar TB2 of the Ukrainian Navy, which managed to destroy two Russian assault boats near the Snake Island.
The first aerial combat between drones was recorded in Ukraine, when a Ukrainian drone approached and attacked a Russian drone in the Donetsk area. After this first action, there were more “fights” between drones recorded.
WW1-style duel. Ukrainan Mavic-drone, which we have delivered to one of the airborne units in Donetsk region, destroyes russian opponent. Amazing!
Pls support our Armed Forces: https://t.co/nw19NpRIN6 pic.twitter.com/2vaCBQINQK— Serhiy Prytula (@serhiyprytula) October 13, 2022
There was also the first search and rescue (SAR) mission conducted by a Ukrainian drone, to recover another downed drone.
Saving private Mavic pic.twitter.com/OgRudf6Rk8
— Сподівання Савченко (@oldboykyiv) December 22, 2022
Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation was created only three years ago, and currently has 70% of its effort on the development of military technologies that serve to defend their country. And one of the main goals of the Ministry, is to equip its Armed Forces with more and better drones.
“I can already say that the situation regarding drones will change dramatically in February or March,” Fedorov assured.
