At the MSPO 2026 international defense exhibition in Kielce, Poland, the company "Ukrainian Armored Vehicles" presented a prototype of an automated anti-drone module capable of independently detecting, tracking, and destroying unmanned aerial vehicles. This was reported by the publication "Militarny," as cited by RBC-Ukraine. According to the company's CEO Vladyslav Belbas, the demonstrated sample is a prototype and does not yet have an official name. The development is being carried out in cooperation with the Ukrainian company UNIT.
Technical Specifications of the Module
The prototype is equipped with shotguns that use special cartridges with buckshot. The stated detection range for drones is up to 150 meters. Depending on the configuration, the system can be fitted with three or four cameras, providing a 360-degree panoramic view. The optoelectronic block includes a day camera and a thermal imaging channel, while a fast-rotating mechanism allows for rapid weapon aiming at the target. The developers emphasize that the module is positioned as a relatively affordable automated solution for the direct protection of armored vehicles against strike drones.
Strategic Logic: Why Armor Alone Is No Longer Enough
Vladyslav Belbas explained the need for developing such a module by noting that the continuous increase in the armor protection of combat vehicles can no longer fully solve the problem of defense against drones. According to him, the automated anti-drone complex is one of three directions in which "Ukrainian Armored Vehicles" is working to counter UAVs. The other two directions involve firing a protective net and deploying an explosive element launched toward the drone. Thus, the company is building a multi-layered defense system that combines passive and active means.
Context: Expansion of the Company's Product Line
The presentation at MSPO 2026 was part of the broader strategy of "Ukrainian Armored Vehicles" to expand its product range. In early August 2026, the company had already reported on the modernization of its heavy ground robotic complex, the Protector: its load capacity was nearly doubled — from 770 to 1,480 kg — and the communication system and camera control were also updated. Taken together, these steps indicate that the Ukrainian armored vehicle manufacturer is steadily developing both robotic platforms and means of their active protection against aerial threats.
Contradictory Data
No significant discrepancies in key facts were found in the provided sources. The only clarification: in the materials of "Militarny," the detection range is given as "up to 150 meters," which is a relatively small radius for an anti-drone system. At the same time, the developers themselves emphasize that this is a prototype, not a serial version, and the final specifications may be revised during further development. Specific timelines for possible mass production are not mentioned in open sources.
