Vespa-15 Fiber-Optic FPV Drone Approved for Use by Ukrainian Military

A new Ukrainian-made drone system Vespa-15 fiber-optic FPV has been officially approved for use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The system has received codification from the Ministry of Defence, allowing it to be used in military operations.

While the ministry did not explicitly describe the system as fiber-optic in its statement, it noted that the drone featured “increased resistance to enemy electronic countermeasures.”

A photo published with the announcement shows a large reel of fiber-optic cable mounted on the drone, confirming the type.

According to the ministry, Vespa-15 drones can travel tens of kilometers to reach a target while carrying a substantial payload.

These FPV drones are capable of striking enemy personnel, vehicles, and field fortifications.

The system includes several drone variants designed for both day and night operations. Specific performance details, including range and cost, have not been disclosed.

As of late April, about 40 fiber-optic drones had been codified for military use in Ukraine, with roughly 15 in active operation during the month.

Ukraine has also introduced a unified fiber-optic control system that can be integrated into both aerial and ground-based platforms.

Fiber-optic drones

Drones operated via fiber-optic cable are immune to radio-frequency electronic warfare and secured by line-of-sight limitations. They also evade UAV detectors, as they emit no radio control or video transmission signals.

However, the technology comes with trade-offs. A coil carrying 10+ kilometers of fiber-optic cable typically weighs 2–2.5 kg or more, requiring larger and more expensive platforms. The cable reel and specialized control systems also increase overall system costs.

The Brave1 defense tech cluster has compiled a verified list of Ukrainian manufacturers supplying fiber-optic drones to the Defense Forces.