Fedorov: Private air defense system already operational, initial results discussed

According to Ukrinform, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced this on Telegram.

“The pilot project launched by the government to involve the private sector in the air defense system is already underway and yielding initial results,” he noted.

According to the minister, one of the companies participating in the project has already prepared its own air defense unit. As of today, several enemy drones have already been shot down in the Kharkiv region, including Shahed and Zala drones.

At the same time, new air defense units are being formed at 13 additional enterprises that have been granted the status of authorized entities by the Ministry of Defense.

As of now, all units are at various stages of training: some are already carrying out combat missions, others are undergoing training, and the rest are completing their training and will soon bolster the country’s air defense, Fedrov noted.

As the head of the Ministry of Defense emphasized, private air defense is integrated into the unified command system of the Ukrainian Air Force and is already operating within it—protecting facilities and participating in the interception of Shahed drones. This is a systemic solution that allows for the rapid scaling of air defense capabilities without placing an additional burden on frontline units.

"We have created a model where the state, the military, and the private sector operate as a single system. We are opening up the air defense market and fostering competition: businesses and companies can develop private air defense systems and protect their own infrastructure. Private groups receive weapons, operate under the coordination of the Air Force, and become part of the overall air defense architecture. The result is more protected facilities, more targets shot down, and a faster response to attacks," Fedorov emphasized.

“Our goal,” the defense minister noted, “is to build a multi-layered air defense system that will ensure maximum coverage and effective interception of aerial threats. Protecting the skies is a key priority.”

As reported by Ukrinform, according to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Oleksandr Syrskyi, in March the number of combat sorties by interceptor drones and the number of Russian targets destroyed increased by nearly 55% compared to February.

Photo: Air Force, illustrative