Ukraine expects to solve jet drone problem before winter hits — Budanov

The current priority for the government, he said, is to scale production before winter.

“They are undergoing combat testing; at a minimum, this is already experimental use, not simply testing,” Budanov said.

“The main issue is scaling up the technology and refining the engineering. They are primarily intercepting Russian jet-powered drones. But there is still work to be done, particularly on mass production. I think we will make it before the most difficult period of this winter.”

Budanov also described a defense cooperation model with European partners that would include joint ventures, keeping critical technologies in Ukraine and ensuring transparency in every contract. In return, he said, Ukraine offers partners speed in innovation and the ability to rapidly scale production.

On Sept. 28, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that during large-scale Russian drone attacks, Ukraine’s air defense forces were shooting down about 70% of the drones. The interception rate for jet-powered drones was 57%. On Sept. 29, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had identified the first anti-air weapon prototypes capable of shooting down jet-powered Shahed drones.