Iranian kamikaze drones Shaheed-136, with which Russia attacks targets in Ukraine, are becoming a problem for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The reason is that these drones are not so easy to destroy with either air defense systems or small arms.
BILD military expert Julian Ripke explained that the anti-aircraft missiles used in air defense operate in the infrared and ultraviolet ranges, they are guided by thermal and light signals of targets.
However, Shaheed-136 drones have such low emissions that they are practically invisible to the guidance heads: the drones’ engine does not heat up enough for the missile to track them.
Destroying kamikaze drones with small arms is also not so easy, because drones move quite quickly in the air. This can be done only by specially trained shooters who can calculate the flight path and aim ahead of the curve.
Experts suggest that the Shaheed-136 can be destroyed by electronic warfare, forcing it to a controlled landing or directing it to a place where the explosion will not bring dangerous consequences.
An alternative could also be point bombing of platforms from which kamikaze drones are launched. But that would mean striking targets in Belarus and Russia. In addition, launch platforms constantly change location.
According to Julian Repke, now either Western countries or Israel can help the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the fight against the Shaheds. The first is the supply to Ukraine of more modern air defense systems, which are capable of recognizing small drones. The second is the provision of IT systems that will make it possible to neutralize Shaheed-136 drones carrying up to 50 kg of explosives on board.
On October 18, the head of NATO announced an emergency transfer of anti-drone equipment to Ukraine.
Source: Racurs
