UAF General Staff: Ukrainian air defence destroys up to 80% of Geran-4 drones during certain attacks

Dynamics of air defence effectiveness

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has released data on the performance of the air defence system against Russian jet-powered attack drones. According to an analysis of the last three months, the average interception rate for Geran-4 type UAVs stands at nearly 60%.

Meanwhile, the Staff notes that during the repelling of certain attacks, the effectiveness in destroying jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles can reach 80%.

The role of tactical aviation and small air defence systems

Tactical aviation aircraft, specifically F-16s, Mirages, and MiG-29s, play a significant role in countering these threats.

In addition, the General Staff emphasises the need to strengthen "small air defence systems" given the limited number of guided surface-to-air missiles. These systems include:

• Gepard, Shilka, Skynex, Skyranger, and Terrahawk Paladin air defence units;
• interceptor drones;
• mobile fire groups (MFGs) of all components of the Defence Forces of Ukraine.

Use of man-portable missile systems

Mobile fire groups are equipped not only with machine guns and auxiliary equipment but also with man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS). As the General Staff highlights, thanks to MANPADS, Ukrainian soldiers are quite successfully destroying the enemy's jet-powered drones.

Search for more cost-effective countermeasures

Work is currently being actively carried out to reduce the cost of repelling aerial threats. Trials of new interceptors are ongoing, with some samples already credited with shooting down several dozen Russian jet-powered Gerans.