With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine faced a new and insidious threat - Iranian Shahed-131/136 (or Geranium-2, as they are labeled by the Russian Federation) kamikaze drones. These barrage munitions, cheap to produce and capable of covering long distances, have become an instrument of terror against civilian infrastructure and cities.
However, Ukraine has quickly adapted, developing an effective system of counteraction that combines different approaches.
A comprehensive approach to the destruction of the "Shahed"
Electronic Warfare (EW).
EW systems play a key role in the fight against the Shahed. They allow jamming the GPS signals that drones use for navigation, as well as disrupting their communication and control channels. This can cause the drone to veer off course, lose contact with the operator, or even crash-land.
Mobile fire groups
This is one of the most effective links in the air defense system against the Shahed. They consist of pickup trucks or other vehicles equipped with large-caliber machine guns (such as DShK, Browning M2), anti-aircraft guns (ZU-23-2), as well as thermal imagers for night work and searchlights. These groups respond quickly to airborne alarms and intercept drones at low altitudes, where they are most vulnerable. Their mobility allows them to move quickly and create "traps" for drones.
Air Defense Systems (ADMS).
Modern and Soviet ADMS of various ranges (e.g., NASAMS, IRIS-T, Patriot, S-300, Buk) are the main line of defense against ballistic and cruise missiles, but are also successfully used to destroy the Shahed at higher altitudes and ranges.
Fighter Aviation.
Ukrainian pilots flying MiG-29s and F-16s are also involved in intercepting Shahed, especially over sparsely populated areas or on approach to cities.
But unfortunately, we don't have enough aircraft to cover the entire sky, nor do we have enough missile systems. That's why small tech companies are now looking for and developing solutions that could help shoot down Russian drones.
Dronarium: Training and Innovation in Counter-Drone Warfare
The fight against the Shahed is a constant process of adaptation and improvement. Our drone expertise helps us understand the Shahed's weaknesses and develop tactics to intercept them. This includes analyzing flight paths, operating frequencies, EW vulnerabilities, and optimizing the use of available munitions. Therefore, we are currently developing a course called "Shahed Hunters" to share our knowledge and teach effective methods of anti-drone warfare and UAV operations.
So, stay tuned for updates and opportunities to enroll in the Chess Hunter course.