Interceptor drone without a pilot: Ukrainian Armed Forces receive “Jedi Shahed Hunter”

Ukraine's Ministry of Defence has approved the new Ukrainian Jedi Shahed Hunter interceptor drone for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to the description, it is the first interceptor drone that needs no pilot: radar stations supply its target assignment data, and it acquires and intercepts the target autonomously.

The drone can destroy Shahed, Geranium and Gerbera attack drones as well as reconnaissance drones such as Zala and Supercam. With two versions – daylight camera or thermal imaging camera – 24-hour operation is possible.

Das Verteidigungsministerium der Ukraine hat die JEDI Shahed Hunter Abfangdrohne zugelassen.#WarOfDrones pic.twitter.com/jQ9MleHXFU

Performance data and prices of the interceptor drone

The Jedi Shahed Hunter takes off vertically, flies faster than 350 km/h and climbs to up to six kilometres. Its operational radius is up to 40 kilometres, and its warhead weighs about 500 grams. Manufacturer Jedi has already started production, with a capacity of over 1,000 units per month.

On the Brave1 marketplace for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the daylight camera version is listed at 1,328 euros and the thermal imaging variant at 1,743 euros. The set for radar data reception and control, including initial drones, costs just under 70,000 euros.