Fedorov on interceptor drones: record kills in March
AI Analysis
In March, Ukrainian interceptor drones achieved a record by downing over 33,000 enemy UAVs, with a focus on countering jet-powered Shahed drones. The Ministry of Defence, led by Mykhailo Fedorov, is working with manufacturers to develop high-speed interceptors and alternative guidance systems, supported by EU grants.
Key Takeaways
- Interceptor drones destroyed over 33,000 enemy UAVs in March.
- Jet-powered Shahed drones pose a significant challenge due to increased speed.
- Brave1 cluster involves around 100 manufacturers developing counter-UAS technologies.
- EU4UA Defence Tech grant programme supports development with up to €150,000 per company.
- Focus on developing high-speed interceptors and alternative terminal guidance systems.
Why It Matters
The record number of UAV interceptions highlights Ukraine's advancing counter-UAS capabilities, crucial for maintaining air defense against increasingly sophisticated threats like jet-powered Shahed drones. The collaboration with manufacturers and EU-backed funding accelerates the development of advanced technologies, enhancing Ukraine's strategic defense posture.
Fedorov on interceptor drones: record kills in March
Fedorov on interceptor drones: record kills in March, countering jet-powered Shaheds, and terminal guidance systems
In March, interceptor drones destroyed a record 33,000+ enemy UAVs of various types — twice as many as in the previous month
A A
Resize
Text size
A
Small
A
Medium
A
Large
2 min Зберегти
Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov. Photo: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
Copied!
Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov discussed the key challenges of “small air defence” with interceptor drone manufacturers, he said on Telegram. According to Fedorov, interceptor drones set a new record in March, downing over 33,000 enemy UAVs.
The main challenge for manufacturers, he noted, is jet-powered Shahed drones. “The enemy is scaling their use, speed is increasing, and interception is becoming more difficult. Our task is to find a technological solution,” Fedorov wrote. Together with manufacturers, the ministry reviewed existing products, assessed their readiness, identified bottlenecks, and aligned efforts to enable rapid scaling.
Fedorov also recalled that Brave1 has supported 12 technologies under the EU-backed EU4UA Defence Tech grant programme. Companies will receive up to €150,000 to develop high-speed interceptors (450+ km/h) and advanced air defence solutions.
Read more: 12 Ukrainian defence tech companies to receive grants of up to €150,000 for air defence solutions development
The minister said the meeting also covered 2026 procurement planning, pilot training, testing ranges, shortages of ground control stations, exports, and updated performance metrics within the Army of Drones Bonus programme. The ministry is preparing solutions for each of these issues, he added.
Fedorov noted that around 100 interceptor drone manufacturers are currently part of the Brave1 cluster. On the Brave1 Dataroom platform, more than 30 companies are testing, validating, and training over 50 AI models to detect and intercept aerial targets across different times of day and weather conditions.
Brave1 and Palantir launch Dataroom, a platform for testing and training AI using frontline data
During the meeting, the minister set two key tasks for manufacturers: to develop and scale jet-powered interceptor drones capable of countering jet-powered Shaheds, and to create alternative terminal guidance systems that can operate in challenging weather conditions.
He added that the state is ready to rapidly procure effective solutions from manufacturers under transparent market conditions.
Found a mistake or an inaccuracy? [Let us know](mailto:team@thedefender.media?subject=%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%BA%D0%B0%20%