In the Kyiv region, the use of ultralight aircraft is being scaled up to combat Russian strike drones. New aviation platforms will be equipped with interceptor drones to destroy aerial targets according to a scheme previously tested on An-28 aircraft. This was reported by Defense Express, according to UNN.
Details
As the publication notes, the relevant photos were released by the head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, Mykola Kalashnyk. The project is being implemented as part of the "Clean Sky" initiative, which already utilizes trained crews to destroy Russian UAVs. Now, "air-to-air" capabilities, automation, and remote control are being added to the system.
According to Defense Express's assessment, this refers to the further development of the concept of launching interceptor drones from aviation carriers. While the An-28 was previously used for this purpose, the focus is now on significantly cheaper and mass-produced Ukrainian-made ultralight aircraft. In particular, the released photos may depict the A-32 aircraft, although there is no official confirmation of this.
The publication suggests that they will be operated from ground control stations. No other weaponry has been spotted on such aircraft yet, so anti-aircraft drones will likely become their primary means of combating Russian unmanned aerial vehicles.