Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has introduced the new “Ai-Petri SV” electronic warfare (EW) system, the development of which he has funded. Developed in collaboration with Ukrainian engineers and the military, this advanced system is designed to counter modern Russian weaponry effectively.
Amid Russia’s extensive use of strike drones, Ukrainian forces are desperately needing as many electronic warfare devices and systems as possible to counter the threat. Multiple Ukrainian manufacturers and civil volunteers, such as former President Poroshenko, switched to developing EW systems to protect the military from Russian drone attacks.
Poroshenko’s investment of over 150 million hryvnias ($3.8+ million) in November of the previous year has accelerated the development of the “Ai-Petri SV” project. Despite the usual timeframe of 3 to 8 years for developing such complex systems, the team managed to complete it in under 5 months. This rapid development was due to the urgent demand from the military, as evidenced by the numerous orders already placed for the system.
During the presentation, five “Ai-Petri SV” systems were handed over to the crews of Ukraine’s 18th Counter-Technical Intelligence Center. These units are now undergoing extensive training to master the operation of these sophisticated systems before being deployed to the front lines.
The “Ai-Petri SV” system boasts a range of claimed capabilities that make it a formidable tool in electronic warfare. In addition to its basic function of suppressing communication, it can detect the positions of Russian UAV operators, disorient FPV drones, and even interfere with the operation of Russian-guided aerial glide bombs, the usage of which the russian forces have significantly intensified in recent months. Poroshenko says the first Ai-Petris are already operational in the Avdiivka direction, Donetsk Oblast, where they are protecting the lives of artillery personnel.
The system comprises a radio-electronic warfare station, a modern radar station, and an anti-drone device, as per the ex-President. It also includes pickups, a command and staff vehicle mounted on a truck chassis, secure communication means, and a power source. Poroshenko has stated that the system could “suppress” Russian UAVs at distances of up to 20 kilometers.
Militarnyi notes that an intriguing aspect of the “Ai-Petri SV” system is an unknown optical device shown in a video alongside the conventional antenna system. This device, pointing in the same direction as the antennas, could be an observation device or a laser station. This aligns with Poroshenko’s past statement about the system’s ability to blind Russia’s Zala and Orlan UAVs, suggesting the possible use of laser emitters capable of blinding the optical devices of Russian drones.
The development of this technology has been ongoing for some time, with a secretive company within Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex, which has been producing EW systems since 2014, working on the project. The “Ai-Petri SV” system represents a significant step forward in Ukraine’s electronic warfare capabilities, showcasing the country’s engineering prowess and commitment to defending against modern threats.
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