Ukrainian Armor Unveils Unmanned Module for Counter-UAS Operations

Ukrainian Armor has presented an unmanned weapon module that can automatically detect, track, and engage drones using shotguns.

The company demonstrated a prototype of the system at the MSPO 2026 international defense exhibition in Kielce, Poland.

According to Vladyslav Belbas, CEO of Ukrainian Armor, who spoke to Militarnyi, the module is being developed in cooperation with the Ukrainian company UNIT.

“This is an experimental prototype. To be honest, it doesn’t even have a name yet,” Vladyslav noted.

The automated counter-UAS module is equipped with shotguns that fire specialized cartridges loaded with buckshot.

The stated detection range for unmanned aerial vehicles is up to 150 meters. Depending on the configuration, the system can be equipped with three or four cameras, providing 360-degree all-around coverage.

The electro-optical system features a daylight camera and a thermal imaging channel.

The high-speed traverse mechanism enables rapid weapon aiming and target engagement.

The developers position the system as a relatively low-cost automated solution for the close-in protection of armored vehicles against strike drones.

According to Vladyslav Belbas, adding more armor can no longer fully address the problem of protecting combat vehicles from drone threats.

“You can keep increasing the amount of armor, but as we can see, drones continue to destroy equipment. Therefore, we need to move toward eliminating the threat itself rather than continually increasing armor protection,” he explained.

The unmanned module is one of three approaches to protecting armored vehicles against drones that Ukrainian Armor is currently developing. The other two involve deploying a protective net and launching an explosive element toward an incoming drone.