The Ukrainian defence-industrial ecosystem presented its innovations at the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX) in search of partners for cooperation expansion, and procurement of raw materials, components, and equipment, aiming to enhance the production of military equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Great emphasis, as it appears, is given to the development of cooperation in the field of ammunition and electronics.

Ukraine’s national pavilion was organized by NAUDI (National Association of Ukrainian Defence Industries). Founded in 2020, NAUDI is a Union that consolidates Ukrainian manufacturers of military and dual-use equipment, armament, and ammunition. 

Also read: Teledyne FLIR Defense | Contract to Supply 1,000 Black Hornet Nano-Drones to Ukraine – Photos & VIDEO

Its core competencies are, among others, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled Howitzers, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, radars, Electronic Warfare complexes, loitering munitions, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, artillery, and ammunition. The pavilion consisted of the following companies:

• Ukrspetssystems
• Airlogix
• Altair
• Ukrainian armored vehicles
• System electronic export
• Kvertus LLC
• Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Construction Plant
• CB “Luch”.

Kvertus LLC

Kvertus is a Ukrainian company that designs and manufactures electronic warfare and signal intelligence equipment. The areas of application of the company’s equipment include the protection of military, civilian, and critical infrastructure facilities, warfighting, protection of privacy, private property, logistics, and events involving crowds.

At the EDEX 2023 exhibition, the company presented a variety of counter-drone systems such as the AD Hunter jamming system, the AD G-6+ anti-drone gun, and the portable AD Counter FPV, which is also produced in a backpack variant.

The AD Hunter, a portable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) jamming system, has been used by the Ukrainian military, police, and security forces. The system effectively blocks the 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz, and 1.6 GHz frequency ranges commonly used for GPS navigation, remote radio control, and video data transmission of various commercially available UAVs, including those used by the Russian Armed Forces.

The AD Hunter features a 60-minute battery, a UAV blocking range of 2000 meters, and a total output power of 90 W. Weighing 5.3 kg, its kit includes components such as the AD Hunter unit, charger, Threat Detection System, user manual, tripod, and a carrying bag. The operational temperature range of the system ranges from -20 to +60 °C, while it measures 28.5 x 25.5 x 9.5 cm. 

The AD G-6+ is an anti-drone gun designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles targeting military, civilian, and critical infrastructure facilities. Operating in the S.7-5.9 GHz frequency range, the AD G-6+ features a total output power of 90 W, ensuring increased power consumption for more effective counteraction to advanced UAVs.

Key capabilities of the AD G-6+ include a UAV blocking range of up to 3.5 km, dependent on the drone operator’s location. Equipped with a 24V 6Ah rechargeable battery for 20 minutes of operation or a 24V 12Ah battery for extended usage lasting up to 40 minutes, the AD G-6+ weighs 6 kg, including the battery, and measures 76.5 x 33.5 x10 cm. Its jamming channels cover remote radio control, GPS navigation, and video data transmission, neutralizing the drone’s guidance, navigation, and control signals for a forced landing. 

Lastly, the Kvertus AD Counter FPV, a portable system designed for jamming First-Person-View unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), is effectively blocking the 850-940 MHz frequency ranges commonly used by FPV drones. The device weighs 5 kg and features a 360° aerial radiation coverage, with a UAV blocking range of up to 150 m.

With dimensions of 80 x 20 x 16 cm, the device maintains maximum levels of radio frequency emission within specified standards to minimize interference with other devices.

Additionally, the Kvertus AD Counter FPV Backpack variant is designed to be carried as a backpack for greater agility. It shares similar features with the standard version, including the 360° aerial radiation coverage. 

The UAV blocking range is still up to 150 m and the total output power is 60 W. The backpack version comes with a removable rechargeable battery (24V 12Ah) lasting up to 2 hours, making it suitable for military operations involving high mobility forces and MEDEVAC operations.

The blocking range may vary based on terrain features and the distance between the UAV and its operator. The device, with its kit and aerials, weighs 8 kg, and its dimensions are 80x12x16 cm. The benefits highlighted for both versions include portability, high battery capacity, omnidirectionality, and ease of use.

Also read: SWARMLY AERO | Cypriot UAVs from EUROSATORY to Ukraine – Photos & VIDEO

ALTAIR GROUP LLC

ALTAIR is active in the development and production of unmanned systems, while the company has a scientific and production base in Ukraine and the UAE.

During the EDEX 2023 exhibition, ALTAIR unveiled two drones, THOR and LOKI.

THOR

THOR stands out for its composite material construction and versatile power options, including both lithium-polymer and lithium-ion batteries. One of the features of THOR is its communication capabilities, operating on multiple frequencies, including 900 and 433 MHz for control and 1200 MHz and 5.8 MHz for video functions. Communication and control of the drone is maintained at a distance of 30-40 km. This ensures a reliable connection between the drone and its operator. 

Additionally, its maximum take-off weight is 25 kg, allowing the system to carry payloads between 1 and 7 kg. THOR can fly for a maximum duration of 240 minutes and cover a distance of up to 75 km. The UAV can reach a maximum flight altitude of 1,5 km, with a maximum speed of 120 km/h. 

THOR is also designed for rapid deployment, taking just 15-20 minutes to transition from its transport position to full operational status. Similarly, its restart preparation time also falls within the 15-20 minute timeframe. Further, it employs a launcher for take-off and is capable of a horizontal landing with a short run. The range of its telemetry and video signal transmission extends up to 15 km.

LOKI

LOKI features a wingspan of 1,5 meters and a length of 1 meter. Its maximum flight duration is 45 minutes and its range is equal to 45 km. It has a maximum take-off weight of 4 kg and can carry a payload of 0.6 to 1.7 kg. Made of composite materials, the system’s structure offers both lightness and resilience. It is powered by 16.8 V lithium-polymer or lithium-ion batteries and utilizes communication channels of 900 and 433 MHz, with additional control and video channels.

Designed for launch using pneumatic launchers and horizontal landing with a short run, its telemetry and video signal transmission range spans 10 to 25 km. Additionally, it can reach a maximum flight altitude of 1500 meters and has a maximum speed of 150 km/h.

The LOKI’s deployment time from its transport position is 15-20 minutes, with a similar preparation time for restart.

Also read: Israel | Lessons learned from the war in Ukraine and the installation of “anti-drone cages” on Merkava battle tanks

UKRSPECSYSTEMS LLC

Ukrspecsystems is a Ukrainian defence company that produces unmanned aerial vehicles and military electronics.

At EDEX 2023, the company exhibited the PD-2 unmanned aerial system, a modular solution designed for the execution of various missions in many environments.

The system features high-end technologies like AES 128/256 encryption, an array of advanced payloads, charge batteries during flight capability, automatic vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), and anti-jamming technologies. It is well-suited for military use, border control, surveillance, power line inspections, aerial photography, agriculture, search and rescue, and public safety applications.

PD-2 Technical characteristics:

• Endurance: 8 hours
• Operational altitude: 4500 m 
• Maximum payload: 11 kg 
• Communication: Line of Sight encrypted radio communication of 200+ km distance / SATCOM / 3G/LTE
• Operation range: 1100 km 
• Maximum speed: 140 km/h
• Maximum take-off weight: 55 kg
• Wingspan: 5 m

PD-2 UAV was designed to change its configuration within 15 minutes with no tools required, depending on the mission. Specifically, the user may rapidly change airframe configuration on-the-go, wherever necessary, for alternative take-off and landing methods, wingspan, endurance, MTOW, and payload weight.

The system’s payload configuration appears to be of interest since, in terms of ISTAR missions, it can carry “homemade” ISTAR USG-series of payload, which feature Full-HD EO/IR with 30x optical zoom, scene lock, target tracking, digital video stabilization, anti-fog features, on-board recording and storage along with an aerial photogrammetry package. Other high-end options from third-party manufacturers are also available such as SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR sensors, LiDAR, SAR, IMSI catcher, and radio repeater.

PD-2 UAV is capable of cargo delivery in different ways: dropdown via fuselage/wing modules or even landing the drone for load/unload and further take-off. Cargo delivery may be executed by command or at a predetermined point.

The company also exhibited the well-known, combat-proven SHARK UAS. You can read more about this system here. 

According to the company, if a customer wants to become a drone manufacturer himself, a simple process is offered to start a company and decide how far one wants to be involved in the drone development and production process.

Other systems

At the exhibition, Ukraine also showcased the “Novator” armored vehicles, 2С22 “Bohdana” artillery system, anti-tank complexes from KB “Luch”, radar station P-18С, and missile systems like P-360 “Neptune”, for which we will revert with more articles.

It is noted that the Ukrainian defence and industrial complex ranked in the world’s Top 100 of the respective category for 2022.