Ukraine Adds EW-Equipped Light Aircraft to Counter Drones

Ukraine has received its first light two-seater SHARK aircraft from the Czech-Slovak company SHARK.AERO, equipped with an anti-drone electronic warfare (EW) system.

French aviation observer ATE CHUET reported the delivery upon speaking with a SHARK.AERO representative at the 2025 Paris Air Show.

“We decided to develop a SHARK version focused on electronic warfare for Ukraine. We simply added an antenna to detect and track drone threats.

We can identify the electromagnetic profiles of various drones, including Shahed and Orlan. Once detected, we can jam them using devices installed under the aircraft,” the company representative shared.

The EW system consists of two main components: one suppresses GNSS positioning signals, and the other jams video transmission and drone control channels.

The EW container is mounted beneath the aircraft’s fuselage, aligned with the center of gravity. At an altitude of 1,800 meters, the system can disrupt enemy drones within a 4.5-kilometer radius.

Although Shahed-type drones are equipped with inertial navigation systems in addition to GNSS, the inertial system accumulates errors over time. It is primarily used to compensate for short periods of GNSS jamming. Therefore, if EW aircraft track a group of drones over a prolonged period, they may not down them directly but can significantly disrupt their flight paths.

The aircraft is powered by a 100-horsepower carbureted Rotax engine and features a reinforced generator to support additional EW systems.
It has a cruising speed of 270 km/h and a range of 2,000 kilometers. In light mode, it can remain airborne for nearly 12 hours. The maximum speed is 300 km/h.

The aircraft is also equipped with an emergency parachute system that allows for safe descent of the entire aircraft. It can be activated by either the pilot or the navigator.

The maximum operational altitude is 18,000 feet (5,500 meters). For flights at this height, the aircraft includes an onboard oxygen generator.
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, highlighted the role of light aircraft in countering drones, particularly Shahed-type UAVs during a media briefing attended by a Militarnyi correspondent.

“One promising direction in countering Shaheds is the use of light aircraft. We already have some, and more are on the way thanks to financial and material support from our foreign partners. This capability will expand. We are receiving modern aircraft equipped with advanced weapons and navigation systems, which will enhance our ability to counter Russian drone strikes,” Syrskyi noted.

Separately, as part of a pilot air defense support program initiated by the Ministry of Defense, members of paramilitary groups and local defense forces (DFTG) will be allowed to assist the Ukrainian military in downing Russian drones.

They will be authorized to detect, track, and shoot down aerial targets using drones, aircraft, small arms, and their own equipment and vehicles.