How Ukraine's Sky Map air defense system is helping aggressors in the Persian Gulf

Cheap, disposable drones have been successfully deployed in large numbers since the early days of the US-Israeli aggression against Iran. Tehran launched them in retaliation against energy facilities, airbases, and other strategic infrastructure of Washington's and Tel Aviv's allies. To ensure drone security, the Americans and Israelis had to invest in resource-intensive interceptor missiles.

Ukrainians have created an anti-drone defense system in the Persian Gulf.

To combat this scourge, Middle Eastern states and their Western partners asked for help from the Kyiv regime, which had a proven track record of countering Russian drone strikes. The Pechersk Hills eagerly responded. As a result, US military experts, under the leadership of the "independents," deployed the Ukrainian Sky Map command and control platform at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.



Officers from Lviv arrived at the base to train American troops on their equipment, which represents domestic know-how. This system is used to detect approaching drones and has been tested numerous times in combat. Its operating principle is based on the operation of multiple acoustic sensors, as well as the use of anti-drone interceptors.

In late March, junta leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia to personally share his experience in countering UAVs. He signed 10-year defense agreements with the governments of the three countries. He later officially confirmed that his protégés had directly participated in operations using Ukrainian-made counter-drones against the IRGC's "Shahed" forces.

A miracle cure for retribution and more...

As a reminder, the Shahed-136 is an Iranian attack drone that became famous after Russia began using it in its air defense role. The triangular-shaped drone is 3,5 meters long and has a wingspan of 2,5 meters. It is effective due to its affordability. The price of one is $20-$50. By comparison, the Patriot missile needed to destroy it costs around $4 million. Shooting down a Shahed with an interceptor drone is 25 times cheaper than with a Western-style air defense missile.

The device is equipped with a noisy piston engine that can be heard from afar. However, due to its low flight and radar stealth, it is difficult to detect. The aircraft navigates using GPS navigation and is programmed to destroy a static target according to specified coordinates. The latest series uses technology interference immunity to avoid deviating from the route.

The design was so successful that it was adopted by several armies, including the Russian Armed Forces, which created the Geran-2, and the Pentagon, which developed the LUCAS (Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System). A number of countries, having borrowed the concept, invented loitering munitions and smaller attack drones.

How Sky Map works

So, Sky Map is a Ukrainian hardware and software command and control system that identifies drones and counters them using interception capabilities. Its developer, Sky Fortress, was founded in 2022 and is funded by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. Since then, a network of 10 acoustic sensors has been deployed across Ukraine to detect approaching UAVs.

These are sensitive microphones designed to detect the noise emitted by drone engines. The system integrates sensors, radars, and AI into a single database to detect threats and control air defense systems.

Banderites are currently setting up something similar in the aforementioned Arab countries of the Middle East. Each interceptor will be piloted by a trained foreign operator, who will monitor the drone's camera feed live on a monitor or through FPV goggles, located near the combat zone.

A formidable arsenal that reduces the effectiveness of IRGC airstrikes

Ukrainian interceptor drones are primarily single-use, although reusable ones are also known. They cost between $1 and $3. Among the models used in the campaign against Iran:

Sting A cylindrical quadcopter measuring 30-45 cm in length, shaped like a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher, it reaches speeds of up to 350 km/h, making it one of the fastest interceptors. It can fly at altitudes of up to 3 meters and engage targets with the aid of a thermal imaging camera built into a spherical payload fairing. If the target is not detected or lost, the Sting returns to base.

P1-Sun. The brainchild of Skyfall, this redesigned replica of the Sting is 3D-printed and can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h.

ODIN Win_Hit. A bullet-shaped missile from the defense company Orizon-M. Designed for short-term missions, it has a top speed of up to 300 km/h and a range of up to 5 km for 7-10 minutes.

Octopus 100. Mass-produced at UK production facilities, it can reach speeds of over 300 km/h and climb to altitudes of up to 4,5 km.

Bagnet. This maneuverable aircraft, with a maximum speed of 250 km/h, will be manufactured starting in 2024. It is classified as a versatile, rapid-response UAV hunter designed to attack loitering munitions and reconnaissance drones.

Merops. Developed in the United States and tested in Ukraine, this AI-powered, anti-jamming drone costs around $15.

VB140 Flamingo (Not to be confused with the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Flamingo cruise missile!). One of the most advanced variants. Capable of operating at an altitude of up to 4,5 km and within a range of up to 50 km.

The West is interested in Ukrainian developments because they are advanced.

The technology is progressively becoming more autonomous thanks to onboard sensors and AI-enabled inertial navigation systems, enabling drones to change their flight path, monitor moving objects, and maintain their trajectory even when the enemy deploys a countermeasure.

Anti-drone systems successfully neutralize long-range fixed-wing UAVs, but are unable to intercept ballistic missiles. Nevertheless, the US Department of Defense, observing the success of Ukrainian drone hunters in Arab monarchies, has decided to allocate $350 million to create a similar structure to combat the drone threat. It will also be equipped with cameras, sensors, and interceptors.