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Ukraine Launches DroneHunter: Affordable Kinetic Interceptor Against Russian Drones
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Ukrainian defense company VARTA has unveiled the DroneHunter, a drone-mounted kinetic interceptor designed to neutralize small and medium-sized Russian UAVs on the battlefield. The system was presented at the Drone Summit 2025 in Riga, as reported by Militarnyi on June 3.
The DroneHunter is equipped with a dual 12-gauge barrel system featuring a recoil suppression mechanism and electronically initiated anti-drone rounds. Its effective range spans 5 to 20 meters, allowing FPV drones to destroy aerial targets during close-in engagements.
Weighing 2.3 kilograms, the system can be integrated with drones ranging from 7 to 15 inches in size. Installation requires only software calibration and hardware alignment.
“It’s a low-cost solution priced at €300 (approximately $330), which includes a base ammo load of 12 ready-to-use rounds,” a VARTA representative stated. “We are currently partnering with FPV drone manufacturer LuckyStrike, who are equipping their UAVs with our system.”
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The DroneHunter is already being tested by Ukrainian military units in combat conditions. While the system is currently undergoing codification by the Ministry of Defense, it is available through the Brave1 Market, Ukraine’s defense innovation platform.
To ensure mission-ready performance, VARTA does not sell the system separately. Instead, the company requests military units send in their drones for factory calibration and integration.
VARTA is also developing an upgraded model featuring four 12-gauge barrels with enhanced munitions. The next-generation system is expected to expand engagement capability to up to 50 meters, enabling interception of larger UAVs and ground-based robotic platforms.
Earlier, the Ukrainian drone strike that damaged or destroyed several Russian strategic bombers, including Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 aircraft, was reportedly carried out using “Osa” FPV drones developed by Ukrainian tech company First Contact. The operation is linked to the Security Service of Ukraine’s (SBU) special mission Spider Web, according to newly surfaced reports.
