Ukrainian forces have converted a Soviet-era An-28 light transport aircraft into a specialized drone hunter, demonstrating continued military innovation as air defense strategies evolve to counter Russian Shahed drone campaigns.
The conversion, reported by Militarnyi, equips the twin-engine turboprop with sensors and weapons systems designed to detect and destroy the Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones that Russia launches in waves against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Russian forces have employed Shahed drones extensively since autumn 2022, launching them in coordinated strikes designed to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses and strike energy infrastructure. The slow-flying, relatively inexpensive drones present different challenges than ballistic missiles or cruise missiles, requiring dedicated counter-drone capabilities.
The An-28 platform offers several advantages for drone hunting missions. Its slow cruising speed matches the approximately 180 km/h velocity of Shahed drones, allowing the aircraft to intercept targets that move too slowly for fighter jets optimized for higher-speed combat. The aircraft's twin engines and sturdy construction provide reliability for extended patrol missions.
Ukrainian military engineers fitted the aircraft with detection equipment capable of identifying Shahed drones at distance, along with weapons systems for engagement. The specific sensors and armaments remain classified for operational security, but the system allows airborne interception before drones reach their intended targets.
In Ukraine, as across nations defending their sovereignty, resilience is not just survival—it's determination to build a better future. Ukrainian defense industries have demonstrated remarkable innovation in adapting available equipment to meet evolving battlefield requirements, from modifying civilian drones for military reconnaissance to converting commercial vehicles into mobile firing platforms.
The An-28 conversion reflects broader Ukrainian air defense evolution. Early in the conflict, Ukraine relied primarily on Soviet-era surface-to-air missile systems and Western-provided systems like NASAMS and Patriot batteries. As Russian tactics evolved to include drone swarms alongside ballistic and cruise missiles, Ukraine developed layered defenses incorporating different systems for various threats.
Airborne interception offers advantages over ground-based systems for certain scenarios. Aircraft can patrol areas along likely approach routes, intercepting drones before they penetrate deeper into Ukrainian airspace. This extends warning time and potentially allows ground-based air defense systems to focus on higher-priority threats like ballistic missiles.
The conversion also makes economic sense. Using expensive surface-to-air missiles against relatively cheap Shahed drones creates unfavorable cost ratios. An aircraft firing less expensive weapons against drones provides more sustainable economics for sustained air defense operations.
Ukrainian forces have employed multiple methods for defeating Shahed drones, including mobile anti-aircraft gun platforms, small arms fire from infantry positions, electronic warfare systems, and now the converted An-28. The diverse approach provides redundancy and makes Russian strike planning more complex.
