Representatives of Ukraine and NATO plan to test drones and other technological solutions designed to directly counter russian UAVs controlled via fiber-optic cables.
The tests are scheduled to take place on June 20 in Estonia. The event will be organized by NATO's Allied Command Transformation and the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training, and Education Center. This was reported by Defense News.
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The authors write that developments created within the framework of the relevant competition will be admitted to these tests. Developments must meet the following parameters: detection range of enemy fiber-optic drones — at least 500 meters; total cost — no more than $100,000; and combat weight — up to 100 kilograms.
The publication also quotes Federico Borsari, a resident fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, who states that Ukraine has so far relied on improvised methods to counter russian fiber-optic UAVs, such as classic munition drops from strike drones. However, such improvisation has not been successful.
In early April this year, there were reports that a unit of the National Guard of Ukraine was able to locate russian fiber-optic drone operators by tracing the trail left by the cables. However now this type of "hunting" has become impossible, because the battlefield on both sides is literally strewn with fiber-optic cables.
Moreover, fiber-optic drones are constantly being improved, particularly in terms of their range. This allows to strike logistics convoys in the frontline zone.
This highlights the importance of developing unconventional methods to counter russian fiber-optic drones. According to Federico Borsari, solutions to counter this threat should include "passive and active countermeasures and should also incorporate robust signal intelligence and other forms of intel-gathering techniques."
Earlier Defense Express reported that the President of Ukraine had unveiled plans for domestic drone-based air defense amid escalating russian attacks on infrastructure.
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