The unprecedented violation of the Poland's airspace by the Russian Kamikaze drones, on September 10, caused an immediate reaction in the European capitals. NATO states, suddenly put in front of a reality for which they were not prepared, began to look for solutions precisely where the experience has accumulated in three years of war: in Ukraine.
Ukrainian/photo interceptor drone
“We were already talking to the Ukrainian part of investments in interception drones, but now our interest has grown exponentially. We must be prepared for war, and that means learning from Kiev.”said a European military diplomat for Kyiv Independent, under the protection of anonymity.
Explosive request for Ukrainian technology
Just a few hours after the attack, defense companies from Germany, Denmark, Poland and the Baltic states began to demand offers from the Ukrainian company Triada Trade Partners. “Russia has shown that it is not afraid to directly hit NATO countries. Now these countries are looking for solutions, and the highest demand is for the new drones presented by President Volodimir Zelenski three months ago,” explained Bohdan Popov, the head of the company's analytical department.
These drones – high -speed quadcopters, equipped with explosive loads – cost about $ 5,000 and are able to neutralize much more expensive air targets. They have already been successfully used against the Russian drones.
West's weakness: expensive weapons against cheap targets
The September 10 attack revealed a major NATO vulnerability. To bring down Russian drones that do not value more than $ 10,000 – some made of plywood and foam – $ 400,000 piece was used. The operation involved an impressive arsenal: F-16 Polish aircraft, F-35 Dutch, Italian Awacs, NATO refuel tanks and German patriotic systems.
Europe therefore discovers that its sophisticated and expensive arsenal is not adapted to a war of cheap and numerous drones. Ukraine, on the contrary, developed low-cost solutions, tested daily on the front.
Between legitimate demand and the risk of industrial espionage
Technological success also attracts suspicions. “I receive requests from all over the world, but it is clear that some of them mask industrial espionage attempts”, warns a founder of Wild Hornets, an organization that produces the left drone.
The export of these systems remains under the strict control of the Ukraine's government control office, which does not reveal the authorization criteria. However, if the external demand continues to grow, Kiev could relax the rules to support his neighbors, says Popov.
Ukrainian lesson for NATO
“No one knows what tomorrow brings. Ukraine remains the best solution to learn how to defend against Russia and how to respond to air attacks,” says Popov.
The attack on Poland has transformed, overnight, the Ukrainian experience into a vital resource for Europe. And the essential question remains if NATO will manage to learn the lesson of a war with cheap but devastating weapons.
