The first FlyEye reconnaissance control complex and four drones were delivered to Ukraine. Tomorrow they will be sent to the frontline for the reinforcement of the UAF. Deputy Prime Minister – Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov and Head of the State Service for Special Communication and Information Protection Yuriy Shchygol told about the specifics of FlyEye and other drone aircraft which are bought within the project of the Army of Drones. They also presented UAVs of Ukrainian production “Skif”, “Skyton” and “Ukrjet”, which can possibly be purchased for the Army of Drones.
In total, there were collected more than UAH 751 million for the Army of Drones through the UNITED24 platform. For the first sum worth UAH 260 million of the aforesaid amount, contracts were concluded for the purchase of two control stations and 20 FlyEye unmanned aerial vehicles, 78 Matrice multiсopters, and 2 ground systems for 20 Warmate loitering munitions.
These drones are high-tech, they help to monitor the enemy’s actions, change military strategies, and more importantly to save as many military and civilian lives as possible.
“I am convinced, in the future the preference won’t be placed on numerous manpower. The advantage will be in technologies and the ability to use it. Thanks to the Army of Drones, our defenders prove it every day with their results at the front line. We will further scale up this project. Now we carry on negotiations on the further purchase of powerful unmanned aerial vehicles with both Ukrainian and international manufacturers,’’ said Mykhailo Fedorov.
FlyEye drones gather at speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour. These UAVs can be launched by hand and it is a huge advantage because it is not always possible to start from the launching platform. They are compatible with the western missile and artillery systems that use an automatic fire control system. It gives the opportunity to determine targets efficiently.
Matrice copters are powered by artificial intelligence and their thermal imagers focus on targets and can pinpoint potential threats. Warmate drones have a fully autonomous engagement system that operates on a “shoot and forgets” concept. This drone can work on different kinds of targets: infantry, shelters, and bunkers.
“The State Service for Special Communication and Information Protection purchase copters that will help our army to resist the invaders. The agreements for buying DJI Matrice as well as Fly Eye drones and their control stations have been inked. And it is just the beginning. We won’t abandon work until we achieve the main aim – victory over the enemy,” said Yuriy Shchygol.
Donations through the UNITED24 platform for the Army of Drones were directed from 74 countries. The largest number of transactions were from Ukraine, the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Australia, and Israel. There is also an opportunity to donate personal copter for the UAF within the Army of Drones.