Ukraine Downs 97% of Shaheds With $1,000 Interceptors, Producing 2,000 a Day

1 articles · Updated · The War Zone · May 15

Ukraine says it is now destroying 97% of Russian Shahed-136 drones, with interceptor drones accounting for the majority of kills during recent mass barrages.
Some of the interceptors cost about $1,000 each and fly nearly 200 mph, offering a far cheaper option than Patriot missiles that cost more than $5 million apiece.
Andrii Hrytseniuk, head of defense incubator Brave1, said more than 150 Ukrainian companies build interceptor drones and national capacity already exceeds 2,000 units a day.
Ukraine uses multiple designs—from short-range FPV-style interceptors to plane-like loitering systems for coastal approaches—and says at least 10 architectures are needed alongside radars, control links and navigation systems.
Interest from the U.S. and other allies has surged from “almost zero” to a top topic, as countries facing Iranian-style drone threats seek Ukraine’s combat-tested experience.

Ukraine's cheap drones are besting costly missiles. Is the era of expensive military hardware coming to an end?

As Ukraine's drone success relies on Chinese parts, what is the plan if Beijing cuts off the supply?