It's a cold autumn morning. A small group of soldiers fuss around a winch, trying to conceal it under a tree. An instructor and a commander supervise the process. Once the winch is hidden and the cable secured, they release an aerostat shaped like a small airship and fasten the cable to it.
After all the checks were completed, it was carefully lifted to a height of about 50 m. "Cool thing," the unit's commander said with a barely concealed smile, and those around him smiled in response. He is not the first to say that after seeing an aerostat launch.
But not everyone shares this enthusiasm. There is also a perception among Ukrainian military personnel that aerostats are merely expensive toys for units with a mammoth amount of resources.
Nevertheless, some engineers in Ukraine believe in this technology and have chosen to develop it further. One of them is Yurii Vysoven, founder of Aerobavovna – the first and only Ukrainian company to mass-produce aerostats. He believes that aerostats, once considered a niche tool, have the potential to become commonplace along the front lines.
More than just balloons
There is a common belief that military aerostats are outdated technology, having been invented more than two centuries ago. They were used for reconnaissance during World War I, and in World War II, they served as barriers protecting strategic sites from enemy aircraft. Aerostats created air obstacles that forced enemy aircraft to fly higher, making them more vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire.
As with many other technologies, aerostats have undergone significant evolution – their design, materials and range of applications have all improved.
Despite their conceptual similarity to early models from the early 20th century, modern aerostats are complex technical systems. At their core is a large envelope filled with a light gas (helium or hydrogen) with a cable attached to it.
If the cable breaks or a quick landing is needed, the aerostat is equipped with sensors that monitor its condition and wind speed as well as emergency landing modules.
Balloons can reach altitudes ranging from a few hundred metres to several tens of kilometres, depending on their size, and can ascend into the stratosphere. They are capable of carrying payloads from several to hundreds of kilograms and can remain airborne for extended periods. These platforms are ideal for hosting intelligence or communications equipment thanks to their practicality.
Israel deployed the Sky Dew aerostat equipped with an early warning system for missile threats in 2021. Although earlier models were similar, the new version was larger and capable of simultaneously tracking up to 500 targets at distances of up to 250 km. In 2024, Azerbaijan announced its intention to purchase Sky Dew.
In 2024, Poland also ordered four early warning radar aerostats from the United States, which are worth about US$1 billion.
The systems are equipped with new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars similar to those installed on modern fighters, particularly F-35s.
The US frequently uses aerostats for reconnaissance and surveillance, particularly in the Arctic region. During the Arctic Edge 25 military exercise, a high-altitude platform system (HAPS) aerostat was employed, capable of reaching altitudes of 18 to 30 km and carrying equipment for radio intelligence, electronic support and signal relay.
The United States had a programme called JLENS in the 2010s which was similar to Israel's Sky Dew. In 2015, one of the balloons broke free from its cable, causing power outages in hundreds of buildings. As a result, the Pentagon cut funding for the project, which was ultimately shut down in 2017.
Demand for aerostats in Ukraine has grown alongside the expanding use of drones on the front lines. Troops discovered that lifting a signal repeater into the air could double the operational range of FPV drones and attack UAVs from 20 to 40 km. However, it is crucial for the aerial platform to remain airborne for as long as possible, ideally for several days.
The absence of ready-made solutions on the market has led to the appearance of Aerobavovna, now Ukraine's first and only producer of aerostat systems.
The team began working on the aerostat in 2023. Initially, they tested a variety of designs and configurations. Aerobavovna founder Vysoven says it took about a year to develop a stable version. "It's not a big deal to launch one. The real challenge is launching it on the front lines and keeping it operational," he said.
Aerobavovna has so far had one of its three systems officially adopted by the military, while the others are still awaiting approval. Their solutions differ in size, aerostat volume and payload capacity.
The smallest model, AB12DMR, requires 12 cubic metres of gas, can be deployed in about seven minutes and can lift up to six kilogrammes of payload. Larger models, such as the AB20DSN and AB40PSN, require 20 and 40 cubic metres of gas and can lift up to 10 and 15 kg respectively. Unlike the smaller model, which can be transported inflated, larger aerostats must be moved folded, which extends the time needed for deployment.
Aerobavovna is seeking additional funding to continue developing its aerostats. While some reports mention an investment of US$40 million, the actual amount raised is about US$800,000.The venture fund Hreiton is also known to have been involved in financing.
The production process is decentralised across three locations: sewing and folding the balloon envelope, installing electronics to meet the customer's technical specifications and manufacturing winches that keep the aerostats airborne. Aerobavovna's team consists of approximately 20 employees. The company plans to consolidate all production stages at a single facility.
Most of the materials are manufactured in Ukraine, excluding certain components such as the polymer film used for the aerostat's envelope and some engines.
The cost of one system (a mobile platform, a special winch with a 900 m cable, gas-filling equipment, a repair kit, monitoring equipment, a gimbal and two aerostats) is about UAH 700,000 (slightly over US$16,600). Operating a single aerostat costs around US$15 per day, which covers the replenishment of 2-3% of the helium lost by the balloon.
If an aerostat is damaged, it can either be repaired by soldiers or sent back to the manufacturer. The cost of replacing a completely destroyed aerostat depends on its size and starts at around US$1,000.
The cost is partially limiting the large-scale procurement of these systems, as tight budgets lead troops to prioritise buying drones or other equipment they consider more essential.
The purchase of aerostats remains a niche initiative, typically driven by the soldiers themselves. The main interest comes from the Special Operations Forces (SOF), Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) and the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), all of whom are actively being supplied with these systems.
Aerostats are currently purchased either by military units from their own budgets or directly by soldiers and charitable foundations. Vysoven says that there is currently no significant demand at state level. To simplify interactions with units, the company has listed the systems on the Brave1 marketplace and expects to be integrated into Dot-Chain Defence soon.
Aerostats on the front lines
Despite their cost, over 50 aerostat systems have so far been ordered and delivered to Ukrainian troops from the Ground Forces, National Guard, special units and the Air Force. Meanwhile, Aerobavovna has found that the use of aerostats on the front lines is more widespread among Ukrainian defence forces than among Russian troops, with no evidence of mass deployment on their side.
Providing communication support is now the primary role of aerostats on the front lines. Although earlier there had been discussions about using them against Shahed drones – for example, by attaching nets or using aerostats as platforms for interceptor drones – none of these solutions has proved effective so far.
Cameras can be mounted on aerostats for surveillance, although Vysoven points out that such use in the Russo-Ukrainian war is not rational, as it would require balloons to operate very close to the battlefield.
Training for aerostat operators takes about three days. Afterwards, the systems are officially registered and handed over to military units. Training sessions are also held near the front line, with aerostats usually placed at least 20 km away. Manufacturers say identifying the aerostat envelope at 500 m is challenging, especially in cloudy conditions.
Out of roughly 50 aerostats deployed on the frontline, only two have been confirmed destroyed by Russian forces. Other losses are due to friendly fire or wear and tear. "Operating for months inevitably means that some parts will break or become damaged," says Vysoven.
The main drawback of aerostats is their operational requirements, as they need constant monitoring and maintenance. Like drones, aerostats are vulnerable to adverse weather conditions such as strong winds, snow, rain and thunderstorms.
An aerostat can be dislodged if it is mounted incorrectly or hit by strong winds. In such cases, a built-in emergency descent system creates a vent in the envelope, allowing the aerostat to descend slowly to the ground without damaging the equipment.
"The balloon will descend close by and can be picked up without worrying it will fall into Russian hands," the team explains.
Furthermore, the balloon requires regular maintenance and refilling with helium. Depending on its size and purpose, an aerostat needs a crew of two or more for maintenance.
Some commanders interviewed by Ukrainska Pravda are concerned about maintenance, as it can pose a risk to soldiers. According to the developers, a trained team can deploy an aerostat within 7 minutes, and it is preferable to perform any work at night to ensure greater safety.
The future of aerostats
Aerobavovna is currently focused on integrating various systems in cooperation with its partners. In May, the company, together with Himera, a Ukrainian communications systems manufacturer, raised the B1 repeater to altitudes of 500 and 800 m, achieving a communication range of 32 km.
The company is also working with other partners whose identities have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Aerobavovna is currently focused on improving its aerostat systems. The company's main goal is to increase the adoption of aerostat technology within the military community, as it has observed a noticeable rise in interest in these systems.
"In past wars, there were few drones in the sky, and most relied on expensive satellite communication systems. Today there are thousands of drones, and the longer and higher the repeater operates, the further a drone can reach," Vysoven says.
He believes that a proliferation of support platforms is inevitable due to the growing number of drones, and aerostats will play a key role in this.
Translation: Viktoriia Yurchenko
Editing: Artem Yakymyshyn and Susan McDonald