Ukraine could share jet-drone interceptor technology with partners as Russia expands their use

Ukraine is already using the new interceptor technology in combat and is racing to scale up production before the hardest part of winter, Budanov said. Producing enough systems remains the main challenge.

“This isn't about any specific product. It's in principle about cooperation between countries on similar products,” he said.

Asked whether the latest interceptor technologies could be included in Ukraine's existing Drone Deals with European partners, Budanov said countries that had signed such agreements could continue negotiations over specific products.

Ukraine has Drone Deal agreements with several countries, including Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Netherlands and Denmark. They cover areas including joint production, technology transfers and exchanges of military expertise.

The technology is becoming increasingly important as Russia deploys faster jet-powered attack drones. Euronews reported that the new drones can reach speeds of up to 500 kilometers per hour (311 mph), compared with around 300 km/h (186 mph) for an earlier generation of Ukrainian interceptor drones.

Air-defense crews protecting the Kyiv region told Euronews they sometimes have just 10 to 15 seconds to react when a jet-powered drone approaches the capital.

Ukraine has accelerated work on faster interceptors specifically designed for the new threat. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this week that Ukraine was intercepting about 57% of the newer jet-powered drones, compared with rates of around 90% or higher against conventional Shahed-type drones during some attacks.