Serhiy Prytula Foundation Purchases Interceptors to Counter Rocket Shaheds

Some interceptors are already being prepared for combat use, and testing confirmed their ability to shoot down ballistic air drones.

Serhiy Prytula Foundation contracted intercepting drones of various types to counter ballistic aerial targets in response to the change in the nature of Russian air attacks. The organization told LB.ua about this.

The foundation explains that the need for a new-generation interceptor is growing due to Russia's use of ballistic drones and rocket drones, which have higher speeds and significantly shorten the time for reaction and interception. Only in September did the enemy launch about 1800 of drones of this type across Ukrainian territory, the Serhiy Prytula Foundation noted.

As Kirill Lyukov, head of the unmanned systems department of the Serhiy Prytula Foundation, notes, several manufacturers have already successfully passed field tests and confirmed the basic tactical and technical characteristics of their developments. Currently, certain solutions are being prepared for combat use by specialized units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Tests also showed that some interceptors are already capable of pursuing ballistic drones and destroying targets with a turbojet engine.

The main challenge for interception is the speed of the target, the foundation says. Ballistic drones can move at speeds of 300–600 km/h, and in some regions their routes pass at altitudes of 5–9 km. This significantly reduces reaction time and at the same time limits the range of means that can be used for interception. Therefore, alongside developing interceptors, it is important to strengthen the radar field and target designation quality.

The Serhiy Prytula Foundation added that purchasing interceptors of ballistic targets is part of the project “Unified. Clear Sky.”

Currently, Ukraine is seeking countermeasures against ballistic drones at various levels. At the end of August, Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara said that there are already four potential interceptors that can shoot down Russian ballistic “Shahed” drones.

In turn, Brave1 CEO Andriy Hrytsenyk described that to counter Russian ballistic UAVs, a cluster works along four directions:

turbojet interceptors with engine like in a cruise missile;

impeller interceptors on an electric drive — about eight times cheaper (the engine costs $500-1 000 versus $5 000-8 000 for turbojet);

ultra-fast electric racing copters capable of accelerating over 450 km/h;

means for shooting down “Shaheds” on head-on courses, six companies are working on.