Ukraine's Defense Forces to Deploy Advanced 'Poseidon' UAVs for High-Altitude Operations

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has officially approved the ‘Poseidon’ unmanned aviation complex for use within the Defense Forces. The announcement was made by the Main Directorate for the Life Cycle Support of Armament and Military Equipment on January 22.

According to Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov, the Poseidon UAV complex is designed to handle specialized military tasks. The drones are equipped with electric engines and a modern navigation system, allowing them to operate in temperatures ranging from −20°C to +45°C, even in strong winds. They can run continuously for several hours on a single battery charge.

“The operational altitude of these drones is beyond the reach of many enemy air defense systems,” Klimenkov stated.

The first contract for a test batch of the Poseidon UAVs was signed on May 18, 2022. During testing, the system demonstrated significant advantages, including resistance to electronic warfare, autonomous return-to-base capabilities, flight stability, and reliable long-range operation.

The Poseidon H10 Mk III package includes three drone gliders and two control systems, allowing uninterrupted operations even if one drone is lost. Its rapid response, precision, and resistance to electronic warfare make it a critical asset, particularly in counteroffensive operations.

Previously on January 21, Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern unveiled the KUB-2 attack drone, developed with the Izhevsk Unmanned Systems Research and Production Association. The KUB-2 is set to replace the less successful KUB model and will be showcased at IDEX 2025 in the United Arab Emirates from February 17 to 21. However, evidence suggests the KUB-2 is already in combat use.