Ukraine to reach mass interceptor production against jet Shaheds at the end of 2026

Serhii Sternenko, a volunteer and former advisor to Ukraine's defence minister, has said that at the end of 2026 Ukraine will reach mass production of countermeasures against Russian jet-powered drones.

Source: UP publication Serhii Sternenko: Ukraine faces threats much greater than jet Shaheds

Quote: "At the end of 2026 we will reach more or less mass production of a solution against jet-powered Shahed drones – that's very fast.

As things stand in Ukraine right now, there are several types of interceptors at various stages of readiness – from prototypes to mass production of small and medium batches. These include interceptors with electric motors and those fitted with small jet engines."

Details: Sternenko said that the greatest successes are in the production of electric-powered interceptors. But he added that considering the threats Ukraine will face next, these are the least promising because they have speed limitations.

Quote: "We estimate that electric-motor-powered interceptors will be able to accelerate to 550-600 km/h and maintain that peak speed for at least a few minutes.

The second category consists of interceptors on turbojet engines, and they are the most promising but also much more complex and expensive to produce because they need engines. Whilst we do produce electric motors – not all of them, but we do have some domestic production – the situation with turbojet engines is more complicated."

Details: The volunteer added that the government recently adopted a decision that was supposed to simplify the production of turbojet engines in Ukraine, but unfortunately this will not happen any time soon.

Quote: "I think that the most promising solution would be to create a multi-purpose aerial platform, for example, a large drone comparable in size to a Geran or Gerbera powered by a turbojet engine, which will carry other weapons: machine guns, interceptors and small anti-aircraft guided missiles.

But as of now the situation is as follows: we are moving towards a production run of interceptors powered by electric motors and a small production run of those powered by jet engines, in particular, the Bars drone missile – this is a jet-powered weapon that has been adapted and is now also being used as an interceptor...

Basically we have effectively taken a jet-powered hybrid – part missile, part drone – and started using it as an interceptor. And it has worked. But I repeat: the future is platform-driven."

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