A privately developed air defense system based on remotely operated machine guns is already being deployed in Ukraine to protect critical infrastructure, according to Ukrainian Defense Ministry adviser Serhii Beskrestnov.
Ukraine has been expanding protection of critical infrastructure as Russian strikes on energy, transport, and communications sites have intensified in recent months. Kyiv is responding by broadening air defense beyond the military, integrating new systems and involving private-sector actors to improve coverage and reaction speed.
Beskrestnov said journalists were shown how the system works, including remote targeting, control interfaces, and live operation. The setup uses turret-mounted heavy machine guns, including the M2, and is designed to engage aerial targets at ranges of up to two kilometers.
He said the system is intended for point defense of critical infrastructure such as energy facilities, communications hubs, and transport nodes. Businesses can contract such services, effectively allowing private operators to purchase localized air defense coverage for specific sites.
Private sector outpaced the state on procurement
Beskrestnov described the system as an example of how private-sector defense solutions are already being fielded alongside state military systems. He added that similar projects could be replicated by other companies as demand grows.
He also said private development cycles have moved faster than state programs, pointing to shorter procurement timelines and fewer bureaucratic constraints as key factors.
Air defense opened to private companies last year
Ukraine has been steadily expanding the role of non-traditional air defense structures to protect critical infrastructure as Russian strikes intensify.
In November 2025, the government approved a framework allowing companies in energy, transport, communications, and other key sectors to form air-defense units operating under the command of the Air Force. These units are integrated into a unified military structure, while using vetted personnel and approved systems under Defense Ministry oversight.
The aim is to distribute air defense responsibilities more widely and reduce pressure on regular military units, particularly as Russian forces continue large-scale drone campaigns targeting energy infrastructure and logistics hubs.
Ukraine restructured its air defense architecture amid Russian attacks
Earlier in 2026, Ukraine also moved to establish a dedicated military branch focused specifically on protecting critical infrastructure from aerial attacks. The reform was presented as part of a broader effort to improve coordination, expand short-range air defense capacity, and integrate interceptor drones and other emerging systems into national coverage.
Ukrainian officials have said Russia’s sustained use of drones and missiles – often in high daily volumes – has forced a restructuring of how air defense is organized, including closer cooperation between state forces and private operators.
Against that backdrop, the emergence of privately operated systems reflects an increasingly layered approach to air defense, combining military assets with civilian-sector participation to defend high-value sites.
