Ukraine's EDRONE presents drone interceptors for critical infrastructure protection in Turkey
Ukrainian company EDRONE has showcased its Baton drone interceptor system designed to protect critical infrastructure at the SAHA 2026 defense exhibition in Istanbul. The unmanned aerial system was presented in two configurations – fixed-wing and copter-type.
Pavlo Valenchuk, Commercial Director at EDRONE, said this in comments to Ukrinform.
"We are presenting a fixed-wing interceptor and a copter-type interceptor. Their main purpose is interception and protection of critical infrastructure facilities from targets such as Shahed, Geran, and enemy reconnaissance drones," he said.
Valenchuk noted that Ukraine's drone industry has significantly strengthened during the years of full-scale war due to its rapid adaptation to battlefield conditions.
"We have made tremendous progress. One of our key advantages – and in fact a forced one – is that we are very flexible, adaptive, and highly innovative, because the situation on the frontline changes very quickly. Foreign research and innovation centers may work for months or years. We don't have that time – new solutions are needed for defenders in very short terms. Our engineers are able to handle such tasks," he said.
EDRONE believes the future of drone technologies will involve integrated systems and expanded use of artificial intelligence.
"I think artificial intelligence will play a much larger role in drone control. And it will not just be about individual drones – these will be integrated systems for specific tasks. I think such systems will likely combine unmanned aerial vehicles, software, and surveillance tools. Our company is already working in this direction," Valenchuk said.
The company is also developing drone swarm technologies, although their future use depends on specific battlefield tasks. According to him, the effectiveness of swarms in protecting critical infrastructure depends on operational conditions and the nature of target defense.
Valenchuk also positively assessed Ukraine's introduction of special tax regimes for defense companies such as Diia City and Defense City, expressing hope for simplified bureaucracy and greater trust and understanding from the state toward the defense industry.
Photo credit: Olga Budnyk / Ukrinform