Ukraine is deploying low-cost, homegrown interceptor drones like Sting and Bullet to counter Russia's high-altitude suicide drones, transforming its air defense strategy by focusing on mass production and affordability to protect urban centers and energy infrastructure.
Ukraine's Odesa-based design bureau Technari has developed the Mongoose, a jet-powered, reusable drone interceptor equipped with a multi-barreled shotgun to target enemy drones like the Shahed, offering a potentially more cost-effective and multi-mission solution amid increasing drone threats.
Paris-based startup Dark is developing Interceptor, a spacecraft designed to launch, attach to, and de-orbit uncooperative objects in space using a rocket-powered boxing glove approach. The company aims to become the "S.W.A.T. team of space" and is focused on unplanned, short missions for orbital defense. Dark closed a $6 million funding round and is working on critical systems and technologies needed for quick missions, with a demonstration mission planned for 2026 and a de-orbit attempt in 2027.