A new initiative in private air defense has successfully integrated 25 companies, collectively intercepting nearly twenty aerial targets, including confirmed downings of reconnaissance drones and Shahed missiles. This development was reported by Yuriy Myronenko, the Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Defense and co-author of the initiative.
Myronenko stated, “The project is already successful with at least one confirmed interception of a reconnaissance drone or a Shahed. The private air defense groups have accounted for nearly twenty downed targets, with several more groups completing their training and preparing for their first combat missions.”
The participating companies span various sectors, including energy, logistics, and security. Several firms from different regions have completed all training stages and have commenced operational duties.
According to Myronenko, the average deployment period for private air defense units is approximately six weeks from application to the completion of personnel training. Initially, a company is not part of the defense forces, but within two months, it can coordinate fully with the Air Force to engage targets like the Shahed drones. Myronenko described this rapid integration as “almost a revolution.”
He noted that a significant challenge has been finding and training personnel willing to undertake these roles. Former military personnel, particularly those with experience operating FPV drones, quickly adapt to managing UAV interceptors.
Companies granted permission to operate temporarily become part of the Air Force system. Military officials designate the locations for these groups, determine the types of weapons to be used, and provide access to necessary software, enabling them to receive target coordinates via tablets. The military also specifies which group should engage targets to prevent interference with the operations of the defense forces.
The private air defense initiative has successfully integrated 25 companies, leading to the interception of nearly twenty aerial threats, including drones. This program aims to enhance operational capabilities by training civilian personnel to work alongside military forces.