More than 50 companies in Ukraine have joined the private civil air defense program
As of mid-July, 51 companies had already joined the pilot project to involve the private sector in the air defense system.
In total, 62 enterprises of various ownership structures from different industries and regions of Ukraine have submitted applications to join, including operators and critical infrastructure enterprises, as well as private-sector companies. The pilot project was launched at the initiative of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine to strengthen the protection of employees, production facilities, and corporate sites that are systematically subjected to attacks by enemy unmanned aerial vehicles.
Currently, air defense groups from four enterprises—which the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has authorized to carry out air defense operations—are carrying out combat missions. They have already shot down more than 50 “Shahed”-type UAVs and “Zala”-type reconnaissance drones. In April, a private air defense unit shot down a jet-powered “Shahed” for the first time at a speed of over 400 km/h. As of early June, the private air defense network comprised 30 enterprises.
Private air defense groups do not operate independently. They are part of an overall system under the command of the Air Command of the Ukrainian Air Force.
The government has expanded opportunities to involve civilians in the fight against drones. This includes so-called private air defense for businesses, the work of the DFTG, and the recruitment of young people into UAV interceptor units based on a territorial principle.
In May, 25 companies joined the experimental private air defense project in Ukraine; some of their units have already shot down more than 10 Russian Shahed and Zala drones.
