Ukraine is expanding its air defense strategy by integrating both manned and unmanned aerial platforms into its protective network. In an interview, Serhii Yakubenko, Deputy Head of the State Aviation Department, detailed how this new approach will complement, not replace, existing mobile fire groups defending against aerial threats.
Serhii Yakubenko emphasized that these new aerial units will serve as an addition to the mobile air defense teams that currently operate on the ground. While mobile fire groups are effective in their zones of responsibility, the use of light aircraft and drones offers coverage at different altitudes and speeds, providing a more layered and flexible response to russian aerial attacks, including drones and cruise missiles.
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One of the key advantages of these aerial groups is their ability to operate not just within local administrative boundaries but far beyond them. According to Serhii Yakubenko, these aircraft and UAVs could intercept threats closer to the border or frontlines, preventing them from penetrating deeper into Ukrainian territory. The coordination of these systems, including target designation and deployment zones, remains under the control of the Ukrainian Air Force.
Serhii Yakubenko also discussed the potential for converting civilian aircraft into combat-ready platforms. These planes are registered in a temporary experimental registry, which allows the installation of weapon systems, communication tools, and surveillance equipment. Crucially, these modified aircraft can undergo testing not only during exercises but also in real combat situations.
This flexible and pragmatic approach opens the door for rapid innovation on the battlefield. Civilian aviation assets, which are more readily available and cost-effective than advanced military aircraft, could serve specific defense needs, especially in regions lacking sufficient coverage.
There have even been proposals to test experimental laser weapons, signaling a forward-leaning stance on emerging technologies in Ukraine's defense ecosystem.
As Ukraine continues to defend itself against relentless russian air assaults, the dynamic development of aerial defense systems, manned and unmanned, shows the country's commitment to innovation and adaptability in modern warfare.
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