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US Tempest System Secretly Enters Combat in Ukraine, Already Downs 21 Shahed Drones
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukrainian forces have successfully intercepted at least 21 Russian Shahed-type attack drones using the new Tempest short-range air defense system, according to a video released by the Ukrainian Air Force’s Central Command on January 13, 2026.
According to Defense Express, the footage shows Ukrainian personnel operating the American-made system in what appears to be footage filmed several months earlier, likely in autumn or early winter, based on environmental cues.
Ukrainian soldiers praised the system’s mobility and quick deployment capability, which proved critical during recent nighttime attacks in eastern Ukraine.
Tempest, developed by US-based defense contractor V2X, was first publicly unveiled in October 2025 at the AUSA defense exhibition. At the time, the company said the system was designed for mobile airspace protection in response to lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.
However, evidence now suggests that the system had already been in Ukrainian service for months prior to the official debut.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force’s Central Command, “Such capabilities allow crews to work preemptively, not giving drones the time to break through to their targets.” Video from the release shows that only seconds pass between detection and missile launch—timing crucial for intercepting fast-moving drones such as the Shahed.
The footage also indicates the system’s deployment near frontline areas, where the threat from Russian FPV drones and Lancet loitering munitions remains high. Despite the risks, placing Tempest in such zones aligns with its mission of defending critical infrastructure from suicide drone attacks.
The Tempest system is tailored to counter small, low-flying aerial threats. Its compact size and rapid repositioning abilities make it well-suited for mobile air defense roles in contested environments.
The Ukrainian military highlighted the system’s ability to protect both military assets and civilian infrastructure, noting that each intercepted drone represents “saved lives and preserved facilities.”
While details of how and when Ukraine received the Tempest system remain undisclosed, Defense Express suggests the system may have arrived in Ukraine covertly for combat trials before its public unveiling. This mirrors past cases such as the US-made Hawkeye 105mm mobile howitzer, which was tested by Ukrainian forces but ultimately deployed elsewhere.
The Ukrainian Air Force continues to emphasize the importance of mobile air defense units that operate in a constant state of readiness. According to Central Command, these units represent “a new generation of Ukraine’s air defense,” designed to respond 24/7 with high mobility and fast engagement cycles.
Earlier, it was reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have since successfully integrated the American MQ‑35A V‑BAT drone into their operations, with images and details of V‑BAT drones being publicly released, showing them conducting reconnaissance missions and demonstrating resilience under combat conditions — marking a transition from secret testing to more open operational use.
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-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
