Recently, it was revealed that MaXon Systems has created a new Ukrainian "air-to-air" air defense system built around interceptor drones. The system is designed primarily to counter russian-iranian long-range Shahed-type drones and is already being tested in the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions.
Another solution to protect Ukraine’s skies. @BRAVE1ua participant MaXon is developing a counter-drone air defense system with its own targeting suite and high-speed interceptors to secure large perimeters. Creating innovations that safeguard security. pic.twitter.com/EMQxQL2NTv— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) August 15, 2025
Until now, only limited details about this air defense system were available. However, Defender Media spoke with the company’s founder, Oleksii Solntsev, who disclosed a number of important details about this new Ukrainian system.
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To begin with, MaXon Systems is a relatively young company, founded earlier this year. The idea for the system originated from a Danish competition seeking effective countermeasures against Shaheds and their derivatives. Implementation moved quickly, and combat trials began just three weeks ago, in July.
In developing the system, MaXon engineers closely cooperated with other enterprises, the Central Scientific Research Institute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and military intelligence. For instance, the interceptor drones are carried aloft by aerostats produced by another Ukrainian company, Aerobavovna, while the detection system is based on thermal imaging cameras from Oko Kamera.
The interceptor drone itself, however, is MaXon’s own design. Notably, the drones are built with 90 percent Ukrainian components, can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h, and are being upgraded with a new propulsion system to enable them to hunt down Shaheds.
Combat testing has already confirmed the system’s ability to detect Shahed-type targets at ranges of 12–16 km.
According to the company, if all planned capabilities are validated under real combat conditions, just 20–25 systems would be sufficient to protect Kyiv from Shaheds. Meanwhile, the cost of intercepting a single drone is estimated at $3,500–4,000.
Read more: New MaXon's Air-To-Air System Is Already in Combat Trials over Kyiv and Chernihiv Regions
