Ukraine Sees Exponential Growth in Private Security Firms Providing Anti-Drone Protection

As Russian long-range drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure intensify, Kyiv has explored every avenue available to strengthen its air defense capabilities. In November this led to a plan to add civilian air defense groups to supplement the existing multilayered system of military mobile fire teams armed with machine guns, interceptor drone equipped units, conventional missile and cannon air defense crews and military aviation. There has been a rapid upsurge in the numbers of private security and defense firms specializing in “Mala PPO” – localized anti-drone protection, as the system is colloquially known.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Rules of engagement These private teams operate under strict coordination with and under command of the Ukrainian Air Force, which retains the sole authority to approve providers and on target authorization and firing decisions. As well as protecting their own facilities the capability is viewed as an extension of Ukraine’s existing early-warning network which can identify the direction being taken and by which types of Russian drone – the ability to take shelter from attacks is, in many ways, as vital as having the ability to engage drones. Between November and the end of March, 24 companies in Kharkiv, Odesa, Kyiv, Poltava, Zakarpattia, and other regions had received authorization to combat drones, which had expanded to 51 by the end of August. Licensed operators include major Ukrainian companies that have trained and equipped their own internal or are engaging private security companies to safeguard critical economic infrastructure. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Has Leverage Over Trump Now Trump is trying to shift blame for rising global energy prices onto Ukraine, deflecting responsibility from himself while venting frustration over Kyiv’s increasingly assertive and autonomous course. For obvious physical and commercial security reasons companies reveal little information on how they plan or and with what systems they implement their air defense – many do not even confirm they take such measures at all for fear that will make them a target. The main exception to this is the larger security providers who advertise their general capability and number of businesses with which they are engaged to drive and expand their own business. For example, a report in Le Monde at the weekend highlighted the prominent private air defense company Carmine Sky which claims to employ hundreds of personnel and has contracts with around 40 Ukrainian businesses. Carmine Sky says it can offer an arsenal that includes anti-aircraft turrets with remotely operated heavy machine guns, electronic jamming, and interceptor drones managed from secure control rooms. Addressing the technological challenge It is not only the numbers of private users of air defense systems that have expanded to face the threat but those who are developing the necessary countermeasures as Russia develops the capability of its attack drones – particularly its Geran and Banderol jet-powered drones. According to media reports these drones can reach speeds of up to 600 kph (375 mph), with payloads of 90 kilograms (200 pounds) over a range of 800-1,000 kilometers (500-625 miles). This is forcing a need to rapidly develop faster interceptors capable of engaging incoming drones at longer ranges and higher altitudes with the overarching limitation that the cost of any interceptor must remain (considerably) lower than the incoming target. Several Ukrainian manufacturers showcased their solutions at this year’s MSPO defense industry show in Kielce, Poland. Representatives of General Cherry and GrimTech, both current interceptor manufacturers, told Defense News that they were working on a new versions of their interceptors to tackle the jet drone problem. General Cherry’s “Bullet” interceptor drone. (Photo by General Cherry) To do so, they said, would require changes to the existing designs, and the use of materials capable of withstanding higher flight temperatures. They indicated that testing was underway with the goal to have the new weapons enter service before the end of the year. The private defense companies, both users and manufacturers, have respondeded to those who have criticized the “privatization” of air defense by pointing out much of the funding to develop these countermeasures comes from the income streams their activities generate. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.