Faster Geran-5 drones could raise Ukraine’s interception costs, expert says

Russia may be trying to accelerate its jet-powered Geran-5 drone to put it beyond the reach of cheap interceptor drones and force Ukraine to use more expensive air defence missiles, defence industry executive and reserve Air Force officer Anatolii Khrapchynskyi told UNIAN in a comment published on October 7.

He said moving the engine from a pylon above the fuselage into the rear of the airframe could increase speed, describing the change as a possible attempt to reach 800 km/h. He also suggested greater engine thrust could be a further step. UNIAN’s report did not include independent measurements showing that speed had been achieved.

If targets travel at 800–900 km/h, Khrapchynskyi said, interceptors would need speeds of about 900 km/h, different engines and aerodynamics, and faster image processing. He said systems including NASAMS and IRIS-T could engage such targets, but at higher cost and with adequate radar detection.

The trade-off for Russia, in his assessment, would be a more expensive drone with substantially limited range. The report did not specify cost or range calculations.