Ukraine Codifies 310-km/h Drone Interceptor as Kyiv Expands Its Counter-Drone Arsenal

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry has codified the Blade interceptor drone, developed by Ukrainian defense-tech company Phantom Defense, clearing the system for procurement and delivery to the Defense Forces. The company said the milestone moves the Blade from development and testing toward potential deployment with Ukraine’s military. However, codification does not indicate that the Defense Forces have already placed an order for a specific number of units or that large-scale deliveries have begun.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The Blade is designed to intercept fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. It has a reported top speed of 310 km/h, an operating range of up to 30 kilometers and can carry a payload of up to 0.5 kilograms. The interceptor is equipped with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability, allowing it to operate from sites without prepared runways. Optical (daylight) and thermal imaging cameras are intended to enable operations around the clock. Part of a broader counter-drone system The Blade is not designed as a standalone system. It forms part of Phantom Defense’s broader counter-UAV architecture, which combines detection systems, electronic warfare (EW), kinetic interceptors and software for situational awareness and battle management. Under this model, a separate sensor can detect an aerial target and transmit information to the control system. Operators can then use electronic warfare or a kinetic interceptor such as the Blade, depending on the threat. Other Topics of Interest Leaked Russian Blueprint Counts 1,000 Weapons to Freeze Ukraine An intercepted document calculates the weapons needed to cripple 60 facilities supplying Ukrainians with electricity, heat, water and sewage services. The system includes a ground control station for flight control, telemetry and video transmission. According to the company, the operator uses a portable workstation capable of operating for at least four hours without an external power source. The company said the Blade will also become available for procurement through the government-backed Brave1 Market. Ukraine expands domestic drone production The codification comes as Ukraine rapidly expands the number of domestically developed unmanned systems cleared for military use. As of July, the Defense Ministry had codified 413 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) since the beginning of 2026, according to the ministry. Almost all were Ukrainian-made. The ministry said the number of codified UAS was more than 30% higher than during the same period in 2025 and more than 73% higher than in 2024. The systems include reconnaissance, strike, FPV, bomber and interceptor drones, as well as signal-relay, target and fiber-optic-controlled systems. Phantom Defense said it employs more than 850 people and operates production across nine facilities. The company claims an aggregate capacity of more than 100 interceptor drones and 200 EW systems per day, although it has not disclosed how much of that capacity is dedicated specifically to the Blade. That distinction is important as Ukraine develops defenses against Russia’s large-scale use of strike drones. For interceptor systems, the ability to be produced and deployed in significant numbers can be as important as individual performance characteristics such as speed and range. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.