Man-portable air defence system found on Russian Shahed-type drone for first time

4 January, 19:12

Shahed. Photo: Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov on Telegram

A man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) has been found for the first time on a Russian Shahed-type attack drone. Russian forces have likely installed it to counter Ukrainian aircraft.

Source: Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian military radio technology expert

Details: Flash reported that the attack UAV on which Russian troops installed the MANPADS was found today 4 January.

Quote: "The Shahed is equipped with a camera and a radio modem. The missile is launched by the Shahed operator who controls it from the territory of the Russian Federation. I ask army aviation pilots to take note of the emergence of this new threat. You should avoid approaching the Shahed on a head-on course and be more careful with those who are flying in a circle."

For reference: Man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) are designed to destroy low-flying aerial targets such as helicopters, aircraft, drones and cruise missiles. This weapon can be equipped with different types of munitions, including those with infrared homing heads, laser guidance or manual control.

Background:

Russian troops continue to improve attack UAVs and install additional modules to counter Ukrainian interceptor drones and aircraft. On 2 January, Beskrestnov reported that an infrared spotlight had been found on a Shahed loitering munition. The Russians are likely using this device to counter Ukrainian interceptor drones.
Ukrainska Pravda reported earlier that Russia is installing radio modems on Shahed and Gerbera loitering munitions, forming a network between UAVs that are capable of being controlled in real time from Russia.
In November, rear-view cameras were more frequently spotted on Russian drones as a countermeasure against Ukrainian anti-aircraft UAVs. Similar cameras were also found on Russian Orlan reconnaissance drones.

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