Ukraine is producing between 500 and 800 counter-UAS interceptor drones per day, according to a report by The Kyiv Post, as part of a broader effort to strengthen layered defenses against Russian drone attacks.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky said the production surge reflects the changing nature of the aerial threat, with Russian forces adapting their tactics and technology.
“The enemy is taking advantage of weather conditions, modernizing its strike drones and changing tactics, including attacks at ultra-low altitudes,” Syrsky was quoted as saying. “Accordingly, we are modernizing our countermeasures and adapting the system to achieve the necessary results.”
Syrsky said a key priority is expanding Ukraine’s interceptor drone capability, including increasing the number of drones, ground control stations, radars and trained crews. President Volodymyr Zelensky previously stated that Ukraine aimed to reach production levels of 500 to 800 interceptors per day by November, a target that now appears to have been met.
Incentive-based procurement model
Central to the expansion is Ukraine’s “Army of Drones Bonus” program, an incentive-based procurement system that allows service members to earn points by destroying or damaging enemy targets. These points can then be exchanged for drones and other equipment needed for combat missions.
Procurement and delivery are managed by the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) through the DOT-Chain Defence digital platform, which links military units directly with manufacturers. The system enables contract signing, prioritization of demand, and coordinated delivery to frontline units.
According to a statement from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence, the DPA added tactical interceptor drones to the DOT-Chain Defence marketplace in the autumn to counter enemy reconnaissance and strike UAVs. Contracts have been signed with six domestic manufacturers, and nearly 5,000 interceptor drones had been delivered to military units by the end of December.
Feedback-driven supply strategy
DPA Director Arsen Zhumadilov said the agency is shifting away from a top-down supply model toward one that incorporates frontline feedback.
“We are changing the logic of the supply process, focusing not only on delivering equipment to the military but also on their feedback and expertise,” Zhumadilov said.
He added that surveys of service members are used to identify which interceptor drone models are most effective in combat, with procurement decisions increasingly guided by operational performance.
The interceptor drones form a critical element of Ukraine’s evolving counter-drone architecture, which combines kinetic interception, electronic warfare, sensors and air-defense systems to counter the growing volume and sophistication of Russian drone operations.
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