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​Ukraine Has Showcased Its Version of the Shahed Drone, Which Could Be Closer to the Original

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How loitering munitions are reshaping battlefield dynamics / Defense Express
How loitering munitions are reshaping battlefield dynamics / Defense Express

How loitering munitions are reshaping battlefield dynamics

Ukraine has demonstrated a remarkable success with long-range drones, like the Liutyi UAV, in striking targets deep within russian territory. Yet, questions often arise about Ukraine’s own version of the Shahed-136 drone. Recently, during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to Kyiv, new Ukrainian drone made headlines after being featured in official photographs. Its appearance immediately drew comparisons to the Shahed-136 drone, though a closer look reveals a different story.

How loitering munitions are reshaping battlefield dynamics Defense Express Ukraine Has Showcased Its Version of the Shahed Drone, Which Could Be Closer to the Original
How loitering munitions are reshaping battlefield dynamics / Defense Express

Ukrainian drone, while sharing similar aerodynamic flying-wing design with vertical stabilizers at the wingtips, is not a direct counterpart to the Shahed-136 UAV. Its smaller dimensions, approximately 1.5 meters in both wingspan and length, stand in stark contrast to the Shahed UAV’s 3.75-meter length and 2.5-meter wingspan. Equipped with an electric motor, Ukrainian drone has significantly less range than the Shahed drone’s internal combustion engine-powered capabilities.

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Instead of focusing on long-range missions, new UAV is tailored for tactical operations, likely designed as a loitering munition for striking enemy assets in the near rear. Features such as antennas and a nose cone cavity, potentially housing a camera, suggest it operates within a 50-100 km range. Its probable targets include armored vehicles and artillery, marking its role in frontline support rather than deep-strike missions.

How loitering munitions are reshaping battlefield dynamics Defense Express Ukraine Has Showcased Its Version of the Shahed Drone, Which Could Be Closer to the Original
How loitering munitions are reshaping battlefield dynamics / Defense Express

The Presidential Office revealed that these UAVs are domestically produced in collaboration with German firms. Interestingly, the Shahed-136 drone has historical links to German technology: its design is indirectly influenced by Israeli Harpy drone, which was based on German DAR (Die Drohne Antiradar) platform developed by Dornier.

Additionally, Ukraine showcased a cutting-edge UAV featuring German automatic target guidance system enhanced by artificial intelligence. Speculation points to Helsing, German company that recently announced its HX-2 mini-Taurus drone for Ukraine. This innovation reflects the growing synergy between Ukraine and Germany in advancing modern UAV technology.

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