German company to send Ukraine tens of thousands of interceptors to fight jet-powered drones

German defence company Quantum Systems is planning to provide Ukraine with tens of thousands of Spys interceptor drones designed specifically to counter Russia's new Geran-4 and Geran-5 jet-powered UAVs.

Source: European Pravda, citing Matthias Lehna, Vice President of Quantum Systems, during a company press briefing in Berlin on 7 October, quoted by Ukrinform

Details: Lehna said Spys was jointly developed by Quantum Systems and its Ukrainian partner WIY as part of their Quantum WIY Industries joint venture. The new system draws on experience gained from the Ukrainian forces' use of the company's products, particularly the Strila interceptor drone.

Quote: "At the weekend, an LOI [letter of intent – ed.] was signed regarding the supply of a package of tens of thousands of Spys, which, as already mentioned, are capable of shooting down jet-powered drones."

Details: Quantum Systems noted that the effectiveness of efforts to counter Russian jet-powered drones in Ukraine has increased noticeably in recent months.

Quote: "Initially, we saw a very low interception rate in Ukraine. It then rose to more than 30%, and in recent nights it has increased to over 50%."

Details: Lehna emphasised that the figure reflects a combination of different countermeasures, rather than the use of interceptor drones alone.

Quote: "But this is the result of a combination of different measures. Ukraine has adapted and deployed a range of capabilities and is making extensive use of its F-16 fleet, which can intercept jet-powered Shahed drones. And it is increasingly using developments from companies like ours, which are proving increasingly effective as part of the wider range of capabilities used to counter the new threat."

Details: When scaling up Spys production, the company can also rely on existing production facilities for Strila interceptor drones.

Quote: "And I am talking about several thousand units per month."

Details: When asked when the first Spys from the new package could be delivered to Ukraine, Lehna replied: "Thousands of units are ready for delivery as early as this year."

Background:

• Ukraine and Germany recently signed a number of documents covering defence, security, energy and rescue technologies. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the total value of the agreements with Germany exceeds €8.5 billion.
• Zelenskyy also announced that Germany will provide Ukraine with a new assistance package worth more than €1 billion.

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