Ukrainian forces have released the first images of a modified Shahed drone equipped with a jet engine, intercepted and brought down by electronic warfare systems. The discovery sheds new light on russia's ongoing attempts to upgrade and diversify its use of Iranian-origin UAVs.
According to the photos, the drone was fitted with Chinese-made Telefly JT80 turbojet engine, which can propel it to speeds of up to 370 km/h. This is a notable increase compared to the propeller-driven variants of the Shahed drone, which are slower and easier to track.
Read more: Ukraine's Nexus Unit Downs Dozens of russian Reconnaissance Drones (Video)
The JT80-powered drone reportedly has a range of up to 1,000 kilometers, making it capable of striking targets far behind the frontline. This extended reach, combined with higher speed, would complicate Ukraine's air defense efforts by reducing the reaction time available to intercept incoming drones.
As Defense Express previously reported, Ukraine has officially confirmed that it possesses interceptor drones capable of downing russian Shahed drones equipped with jet engines. The statement was made by Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of the Office of the President.
According to Pavlo Palisa, different models of interceptors demonstrate varying levels of effectiveness. Their performance depends on numerous factors, ranging from the specific type of drone to the skill of the crews operating them and even weather conditions.
Read more: Ukrainian Forces Can Now Down Jet-Engine Shahed Drones
