Latvia to start sending interceptor drones to Ukraine this month – DM Melnis
Latvia will begin supplying Ukraine with interceptor drones in September, Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis told Radio NV on September 1.
Latvia plans to begin sending interceptor drones to Ukraine in September, according to Defense Minister Raivis Melnis. The drones and interceptors are manufactured in Latvia, and the country allocates 0.25% of its GDP to support Ukraine. The systems purchased from Latvian industry are delivered to Ukraine and come with training.
The Latvian Ministry of Defense has agreed to supply interceptor drones, surveillance drones, ground robotic platforms, and uncrewed weapon systems. Melnis expects to deliver the first interceptors, which are advanced and autonomous, in September. These systems have proven effective through testing in Latvia. Latvia will purchase and deliver the interceptors not only for field testing but specifically to intercept Russian Shahed drones.
Ukrainian technology adviser Serhiy "Flash" Beskrestnov noted that Ukrainian manufacturers have not yet developed jet-powered interceptor drones for Shaheds and Banderols. The development of such drones has proven more challenging than anticipated. Russian Shahed drones reach speeds of 300-550 kilometers per hour, while jet-powered interceptors would need to reach 600 kilometers per hour.
Ukrainian air defenses have been using air-to-air missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and MANPADS to intercept jet-powered Shaheds, with a success rate of up to 80%. Aviation expert Valerii Romanenko stated that Ukraine's interception rate against Shaheds has dropped from 90% to 76% due to the use of jet-powered Shaheds, which fly at 300-450 kilometers per hour.
Written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
