Since the beginning of 2026, the Defense Forces have received twice as many interceptor drones as during the entire year of 2025. This was reported by Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov.
“The Ministry of Defense continues to systematically increase the supply of interceptor drones to strengthen air defense through ‘small’ air defense systems. Since the beginning of 2026, under contracts of the Defense Procurement Agency (DOT), the military has received twice as many of these systems as in all of 2025,” Fedorov said.
According to him, the supply of interceptor drones is ensured through several channels: direct procurement under contracts of the Defense Procurement Agency (DOT); the Army of Drones Bonus program; and the DOT-Chain Defence weapons marketplace.
The use of different approaches makes it possible to guarantee uninterrupted supply while simultaneously scaling up volumes, he emphasized.
The minister noted that these drones have already proven their effectiveness in combat conditions and have significantly strengthened air defense. They reduce the burden on missile-based air defense, allowing it to focus on countering Russian missiles.
Fedorov also pointed out that anti-Shahed drones are a technological response to the Russian forces. They are hundreds of times cheaper than missile systems and tens of times cheaper than “Shahed” drones, allowing for the most efficient use of budget resources.
“The results are already noticeable: in March, interceptor drones shot down a record 33,000+ UAVs of various types,” the minister said.
He also noted that one of the President’s key defense strategy tasks — protecting the skies — is currently being implemented. For this purpose, a “small” air defense command has been created for the first time within the Air Force structure, strengthening air protection through interceptor drones.
“Our task is to ensure a stable supply of interceptors to the military and to protect Ukrainians from ‘Shahed’ attacks,” Fedorov emphasized.
