Ukrainian Startup Deftak Unveils AI-Guided Drone Munitions That Can Hit Targets Without GPS

Ukraine-based defense startup Deftak has introduced a new line of guided munitions for unmanned aerial vehicles, designed to improve strike accuracy through onboard targeting systems.

According to Militarnyi on March 17, a company representative presented the system during the “Arsenal of Talents” defense technology exhibition, outlining its capabilities and future deployment plans.

The munitions are equipped with guidance systems that allow them to adjust their trajectory after launch, distinguishing them from conventional aerial bombs or unguided projectiles that follow a fixed ballistic path. Deftak’s solution integrates computer vision technology, enabling the munition to lock onto a designated target point during flight.

The system includes onboard electronics, a camera, and a warhead, with multiple software configurations available for flight control and machine vision processing.

According to Militarnyi, the company has already conducted combat testing of the munitions and is preparing for formal contracts and codification procedures with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.

Initially adapted for use on multirotor drones, the company is now working to expand integration to fixed-wing UAV platforms. In parallel, Deftak is developing a laser-guided variant, which would allow the munition to home in on a laser-designated target.

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War in Ukraine

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Deftak secured approximately $650,000 in investment from the European defense fund Darkstar in 2025. The investor stated that the company’s systems are capable of maintaining high targeting accuracy even without GPS and are significantly more cost-effective than traditional guided munitions, with costs estimated to be up to ten times lower.

Building on this trend, Ukrainian developers are also repurposing existing drones for counter-UAV roles. The FP-1, originally a long-range strike drone, is now being adapted into a platform capable of carrying anti-aircraft weapons and launching interceptor FPV drones.

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