(KYIV) – Ukraine is shifting its defensive strategy from intercepting Russian missiles to targeting the aircraft and airfields that launch them, as Kyiv faces critical shortages of missile interceptors.
The new approach, known as persistent airfield denial, is the focus of a NATO innovation challenge organised through the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC). Companies from alliance countries are invited to submit solutions, with finalists set to be announced this week.
Colonel Valerii Vyshnivskyi of JATEC explained the shift in philosophy: “We started to fight against archers instead of arrows.” He said the challenge seeks solutions at Technology Readiness Level 5 or 6, meaning products that have left the laboratory and are ready for testing within two to three months.
Russia has escalated its use of glide bombs, launching a record 8,200 in July alone. These munitions, weighing between 250 kilograms and 1.5 tonnes, present a particular challenge. The aircraft carrying them fly low to avoid detection before climbing briefly to release the bomb, which travels at approximately 300 metres per second.
“They use them in such big volume that now intercepting them is more expensive than producing new glide bombs and sending them to Ukraine,” Colonel Vyshnivskyi said. “That’s why we need to fight against the archer.”
The challenge extends beyond aircraft. Targets include airfield infrastructure such as storage facilities, fuel depots, ammunition stores and crew quarters. However, Colonel Vyshnivskyi cautioned that simply damaging runways is insufficient, as repairs can be completed within days.
Previous innovation challenges have produced tangible results. The Titan anti-drone system and Alaris artificial intelligence targeting system have both been deployed in Ukraine. A Ukrainian company called Dons won a challenge focused on countering fibre optic drones and has been tested across multiple environments.
The budget committee has allocated €250,000 (£214,000, $271,000) for each of three finalists to cover initial testing in NATO countries before deployment to Ukraine for combat evaluation.
Colonel Vyshnivskyi said future challenges may address hypersonic weapons and the detection of Russian infiltration groups operating behind Ukrainian lines.
Be First to Comment