Ukraine has unveiled its domestically-built Shchedryk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to monitor movements of hostile troops.
Approved for military use on December 25, the drone is equipped with a control station and silent electric motors, making it ideal for covert operations.
Its design also includes enhanced resistance to electronic warfare, addressing the significant threat posed by Russian jammers on the battlefield.
The Shchedryk can reach speeds of up to 150 kilometers (93 miles) per hour, a maximum range of 40 kilometers (25 miles), and an altitude of up to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles).
“The capabilities of the aerial vehicle and its optical equipment allow it to operate from an altitude that is difficult to reach for most enemy air defense systems,” Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov explained.
Over 200,000 Drones Delivered to Frontline
The approval of the Shchedryk comes as Ukraine accelerates its production of indigenous UAVs to gain a tactical edge against Russian forces.
Umerov disclosed that over 200,000 domestically-produced drones have already been delivered to frontline units for combat and reconnaissance missions.
But the broader goal, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, is to increase production to up to four million drones annually by 2025, surpassing the initial target of one million.
In October, Ukraine’s Digital Transformation Ministry confirmed contracts for 1.8 million UAVs for 2025 as part of the country’s strategy to build an “Army of Drones.”
