Germany has funded 15,000 Strila interceptor drones for the National Guard
Germany has fully funded the production of a record batch of 15,000 state-of-the-art Strila interceptor drones for the Ukrainian National Guard.
The multi-million-dollar deal, announced by the German Embassy in Ukraine on March 23, 2026, also includes operator training, logistical support, and further joint development of unmanned systems.
Production of these drones will be expanded in Ukraine through cooperation between the German company Quantum-Systems and the Ukrainian firm WIY Drones to promptly meet the needs of the Security and Defense Forces. The Strila interceptor drone is specifically designed to engage fast and maneuverable aerial targets, including Russian reconnaissance drones such as the Orlan and Zala, as well as Iranian “Shaheds,” through direct collision or detonation near the target.
Using such interceptors is dozens of times cheaper than launching anti-aircraft missiles from systems like the IRIS-T or Patriot, providing significant economic benefits while maintaining high effectiveness. The drones are equipped with modern guidance systems that allow them to automatically engage moving targets at various altitudes. This project has become part of Berlin’s systematic support for Ukraine’s unmanned systems sector and the localization of military production.
Oil giant Saudi Aramco is discussing with Ukrainian manufacturers the purchase of interceptor drones to protect oil fields from attacks by Iranian “Shahed”-type drones.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has sent three teams of experts to Middle Eastern countries to work with Shahed-type drones.
