Stand behind Ukrainian independent journalism when it’s needed most. Help us reach 20,000 members.

Skip to content
Edit post

Turkish drone company Baykar to develop air-to-air missiles to counter kamikaze drone attacks in Ukraine

by The Kyiv Independent news desk October 30, 2022 4:43 PM 1 min read
This audio is created with AI assistance

The new munitions, based on the existing Sungur air defense missiles, will be deployed on Bayraktar combat drones, including the TB2, which is currently serving in Ukraine.

The development of the anti-air capabilities of Bayraktar drones is being fast-tracked specifically in response to the widespread use of slow, cheap Iranian "kamikaze" drones like the Shahed-136, of which Russia has used hundreds to target civilian buildings and critical infrastructure in Ukraine, said Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar at an arms fair in Istanbul.

Although the Shahed-136 is an "easy target" in principle, "you need to be ready with your countermeasures," Bayraktar said. "We fully support Ukraine to defend their sovereignty."

Ukraine is currently using a multitude of surface-to-air systems to defend against the Iranian drones, as well as occasionally resorting to sending precious fighter jets to shoot them down. Assigned to a patrol flight pattern and ready to intercept any incoming drones or enemy aircraft, TB2s could play a valuable new role in Ukraine's air defense infrastructure.

What’s behind Russia’s unusually big missile attack on Ukraine?

Independent journalism needs a community —
not a paywall.

We’re working hard to show the world the truth of Russia’s brutal war — and we’re keeping it free for everyone, because reliable information should be available to all.

Our goal: reach 20,000 members to prove independent journalism can survive without paywalls, billionaires, or compromise. Will you help us do it?

Can we reach 20,000 members?

News Feed

11:51 PM

Trump 'very surprised, disappointed' at Russian attacks on Ukraine amid peace talks.

"I've gotten to see things I was very surprised at. Rockets being shot into cities like Kyiv during a negotiation that was maybe very close to ending," Trump said during a news conference in the Oval Office. "All of a sudden rockets got shot into a couple of cities and people died. I saw thing I was surprised at and I don't like being surprised, so I'm very disappointed in that way."
5:10 PM

All territory will revert to Ukraine, predicts US diplomat.

The Kyiv Independent’s Chris York sits down with Michael Carpenter, former U.S. Ambassador to OSCE and senior director for Europe at the National Security Council, to discuss the current lagging U.S. military support for Ukraine amid the ongoing ceasefire talks with Russia. Carpenter also offers his predictions for the future of Ukraine’s occupied territories.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.