What drones are needed by the military in Ukraine: top 10 rating of the best UAV models for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The question "What kind of drones does the military need?" is one of the most pressing in Ukraine today. Unmanned aerial vehicles have become an indispensable tool for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the context of active hostilities. Military units use drones for reconnaissance, adjusting artillery fire, delivering cargo and conducting air operations. Our foundation actively helps to provide the defenders with the necessary equipment, so we have prepared a detailed overview of the most effective UAV models.

Types of drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Unmanned aerial vehicles used by the military can be divided into several main types:

1. Reconnaissance drones - small systems with cameras to collect information about enemy positions. These UAVs are crucial for gaining tactical advantage.
2. Strike drones are strategic UAVs equipped with drop mechanisms or mounted munitions. Such drones are capable of hitting targets on their own.
3. Repeater drones - provide communication between units of the Armed Forces over long distances and in the environment of electronic warfare.
4. Logistics drones are used to deliver necessary supplies to the front line, such as medicines, ammunition, etc.
5. FPV drones are small maneuvering vehicles with first-person control that have become one of the most common in modern warfare.

Characteristics of military drones

The effectiveness of drones for combat missions is determined by a number of important characteristics:

• Flight range - determines the range of the unmanned system. UAVs that can carry out missions over a distance of more than 10 km are especially important for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
• Flight duration - the time a drone can stay in the air without recharging. Models with a flight time of 60 minutes or more are optimal for military purposes.
• Camera quality - high resolution and a thermal imager allow the military to obtain detailed intelligence.
• Control system security - resistance to signal jamming and electronic interference is critical in an active electronic warfare environment.
• Maneuverability - the drone’s ability to quickly change direction and altitude to avoid enemy fire.
• Compactness - the ability to quickly deploy and transport the drone by military units.

What drones does the Armed Forces need: top 10 best UAVs

The effectiveness of drones for combat missions is determined by a number of important characteristics:

1. DJI Mavic 3 (CP.MA.00000447.02)

DJI Mavic 3 has become one of the most popular drones among military units due to its versatility. The Chinese quadcopter is equipped with a Hasselblad camera with a 4/3 CMOS sensor that captures 4K video and photos with a resolution of 20MP.

The main advantages for the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

• Flight duration up to 46 minutes.
• Signal transmission range up to 15 km.
• Obstacle detection system in all directions.
• Compact size when folded.

This drone is ideal for simple tactical reconnaissance. However, it should be understood that the Mavic 3 is not designed for military purposes and has a number of limitations that may make it difficult to use it for artillery adjustment, including insufficient protection against electronic warfare, weather resistance, and data security.

2. DJI Matrice 300

The DJI Matrice 300 is a commercial drone that is widely used by the Ukrainian military. The popularity of the Chinese multicopter is explained by a combination of increased reliability and modularity.

Key characteristics for combat use:

• Flight duration up to 55 minutes.
• Signal transmission range of up to 15 km.
• Resistance to various weather conditions with a degree of protection IP45.
• Ability to install various types of cameras and sensors, including thermal imagers and lidars.

Although the DJI Matrice 300 is still a commercial product, its versatility and affordability make it a valuable tool for a wide range of tasks on the battlefield, especially in conditions where the use of more expensive and complex military systems is impractical or impossible.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine use the DJI Matrice 300 for short-range reconnaissance, where there is relative safety from powerful electronic warfare, mid-range fire adjustment, and inspection and documentation of the effects of shelling.

3. Autel EVO II Pro

The Autel EVO II Pro has become a worthy alternative to DJI products, especially given the fewer restrictions for military use.

Advantages in combat conditions:

• Flight time up to 40 minutes.
• 6K camera with a 1-inch sensor that provides high image quality and detail in low light conditions.
• 360° obstacle detection system in difficult urban or wooded environments.
• Signal interception protection compared to some DJI models.
• The ability to use different flight modes.

The Chinese drone is actively used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine for reconnaissance operations, including battlefield surveillance, recording the composition and movement of enemy troops, assessing the effects of hostilities, and search and rescue operations.

However, like any commercial drone, the Autel EVO II Pro has its limitations, including insufficient protection against electronic warfare and physical damage.

4. Quantum Systems Vector

The Quantum Systems Vector is a German UAV that has vertical takeoff and landing almost anywhere, as well as horizontal flight capability, which provides high speed and energy efficiency over long distances and altitudes.

Unique capabilities of the drone:

• Flight duration of up to 2 hours, which allows you to monitor large areas without the need for frequent battery replacement.
• Flight range of up to 100 km, which opens up opportunities for detecting enemy reserves, command posts, and warehouses.
• Modular payload (electro-optical and thermal imaging cameras and sensors), which makes it very flexible in application.
• Very low acoustic foot print due to optimized design and engines that make it one of the quietest UAVs in its class.
• Resistance to harsh weather conditions, including dust, moisture and strong winds thanks to IP55 protection.
• Artificial intelligence based on the NVIDIA Jetson Orin chip, which allows processing data from cameras and sensors in real time and at any time of the day.
• Resistance to electronic warfare thanks to Ukrainian-made CRPA antennas at the first and so far only German UAV manufacturing plant in Ukraine.

These drones allow the Armed Forces to conduct deep reconnaissance behind enemy lines without the risk of detection. Thanks to its precise navigation systems and high-quality cameras, the drone can be used to adjust fire over long distances, assess combat damage, and create terrain maps.

Thus, Vector is a serious military equipment that significantly expands the capabilities of intelligence and surveillance at the strategic and operational levels.

5. Skydio X2D

The Skydio X2D is an American autonomous drone with advanced artificial intelligence technologies that provide it with exceptional ability to avoid obstacles in real time and in difficult environments, such as dense vegetation or inside buildings.

Main advantages:

• Increased flight autonomy thanks to 6 4K cameras and NVIDIA Tegra X2 processor, which provide a 360-degree view and allow you to build a detailed 3D model of the environment for safe flight.
• The FLIR thermal imaging camera with a resolution of 320x256 (and even 640x512 in newer versions) makes this drone extremely valuable for reconnaissance, surveillance, and search and rescue operations at any time of the day.
• AES-256 data encryption that meets the highest security standards and protects not only the transmitted data, but also the information stored on the drone and controller.
• Simplified operation for quick learning thanks to an intuitive interface and a high level of autonomy.
• Compact and maneuverable due to its relatively small size and weight (about 1.3 kg), which makes it less visible in the air and more maneuverable in difficult conditions.
• Rapid deployment - the drone is ready to fly in less than 75 seconds, which is an important factor in a changing combat environment.
• Resistance to wind speeds of up to 37 km/h, which allows the drone to be used in various weather conditions.
• The ability to operate in GPS spoofing and GPS-less conditions, which is critical in the face of active enemy electronic warfare.

The military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine appreciate Skydio X2D for its high technology and reliability and use the drone for short-range reconnaissance in urban areas and other difficult environmental conditions.

6. Ukrainian PD-2

The PD-2 drone from the Ukrainian company UkrSpecSystems is a multi-purpose aircraft-type UAV for long-range reconnaissance.

Key features:

• Flight duration up to 10 hours.
• Flight range of up to 100 km (and the communication range can reach up to 180 km).
• Fully automatic flight on a given route.
• Resistance to electronic warfare.
• Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability.
• Modular design that allows for quick change of payload (cameras, sensors, communication repeaters and small combat charges).
• High-quality optoelectronic equipment for clear images at long distances and altitudes.
• Secure communication channels with data encryption that minimizes the risk of interception by the enemy.

Military units use the PD-2 to monitor large and long areas, as well as to adjust artillery fire over long distances.

7. Leleka-100

Another Ukrainian drone, the Leleka-100, was developed by the Ukrainian company DeViRo specifically for the needs of the Armed Forces.

Advantages for military use:

• Compact transportation system that facilitates mobility and rapid deployment.
• Hand-heldlaunch, which ensures the drone can be lifted into the air under any conditions.
• Flight time up to 3 hours for reconnaissance, surveillance and fire control.
• Operation inall weather conditions - in rain, snow, strong winds (up to 20 m/s) and a wide temperature range (from -20°C to +40°C).
• EWresistance thanks to a protection system that recognizes obstacles and automatically switches to inertial flight mode.
• Modular design that can carry a payload - an optoelectronic camera for daytime surveillance or a thermal imaging camera for nighttime operation.
• Providing accurate coordinates for real-time target detection.

The Leleka-100 is one of the best examples of a tactical-level Ukrainian military drone that successfully performs its tasks: reconnaissance, patrolling, surveillance and artillery fire adjustment.

8. Bayraktar TB2

Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude attack drone with impressive autonomy and resistance to difficult weather conditions.

Key capabilities:

• Flight duration up to 27 hours;
• Payload - 95 kg;
• High accuracy of target destruction thanks to the laser guidance system;
• Operating altitude of up to 7.5 km, which provides relative safety from most short-range air defense systems.
• Secure communication channels, which makes it difficult to intercept or jam.

The Bayraktar TB2 is a truly legendary drone that has become a real symbol of repulsing the armed aggression of the Russian Federation at the initial stage of the war.

9. Fly Eye

The Polish reconnaissance drone Fly Eye is known for its reliability, compactness and ease of use.

Other key advantages in combat conditions:

• Flight duration of up to 2.5 hours, sufficient to perform most tactical reconnaissance missions and adjust artillery fire.
• Hand-held launch, which ensures quick and invisible deployment of the drone in any conditions.
• Parachute landing, which minimizes the risk of damage to the drone during landing, especially in rough terrain.
• Operation in various weather conditions - rain, snow, and strong winds (up to 18 m/s).
• Electronic warfare protection systems that allow the drone to continue performing tasks in the face of active enemy countermeasures.

Thanks to its user-friendly control system and modular design made of composite materials, the Fly Eye UAV is easy to train and maintain, making it an indispensable assistant for our military.

10. FPV drones of various types

Home-made and industrial FPV drones have become an integral part of the Armed Forces’ combat operations, and the role of attack drones continues to grow.

Key advantages:

• Low cost of production and procurement compared to larger reconnaissance or attack UAVs;
• High maneuverability due to its design, powerful engines and direct operator control through video goggles (First Person View);
• The ability to install a payload ranging from fragmentation grenades and shaped charge to improvised explosive devices.
• Difficult to detect and intercept due to their small size, high speed, and low altitude.

FPV drones have become a real breakthrough in military affairs. They provide Ukrainian defenders with a flexible, effective and inexpensive tool to perform a wide range of tasks.

The International Unity Movement Charitable Foundation actively provides military units with powerful Ukrainian-made FPV drones: TURA, Grek, Vluchnik 200, SKYTEL, Robotic Systems, Jet Bee System, General Chereshnya, Witch 200 and Undertaker.

As part of the flagship initiative Ukrainian Drones for Defense, our volunteer headquarters selects drones at the request of military unit commanders, and after approving the model and equipment, organizes charity fundraisers and provides units with the required number of UAVs.

How to choose the best drone for the Armed Forces of Ukraine?

The choice of the best UAV for military needs depends on the specific tasks of the unit:

1. For frontline reconnaissance, compact and quiet drones with high-quality cameras that can be quickly deployed (Mavic 3, Autel EVO II Pro) are best suited.
2. For deep reconnaissance of enemy territories, UAVs with a long range and flight duration are needed (Vector, PD-2, Leleka-100).
3. To adjust artillery, reliable drones with stable video communications are needed for precise targeting (DJI Matrice 300, Mavic 3).
4. FPV drones or specialized attack UAVs (Bayraktar TB2) are usedfor strike operations.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine need various types of drones to perform complex combat missions. Our fund helps to select drones from Ukrainian manufacturers with optimal characteristics for the specific needs of military units.

How does our charitable foundation help with drones for the Armed Forces?

The International Unity Movement charitable organization has launched the Ukrainian Drones for Defense initiative, a large-scale project that turns Ukrainians’ donations into effective weapons against the occupiers.

Our charitable foundation focuses on comprehensive support of military units with unmanned systems:

1. Coordination with drone manufacturers to obtain special conditions for the purchase of equipment for the military.
2. Careful study of the needs of the units and the specifics of their combat missions when considering official requests for military drones from the commanders of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
3. Selection of proven manufacturers that produce Ukrainian drones with the necessary radio control frequencies for a specific frontline area.
4. Raising funds for the military after agreeing on models, equipment and the required number of UAVs.
5. Providing the military with drones as soon as the required amount is raised: the foundation buys out orders from commanders and sends the drones to where they are needed most.

Thanks to the support of the charitable community, our charitable organization has purchased and delivered 109 warbirds, including FPV drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Ukrainian manufacturers (90 units) and drones with thermal imagers DJI Mavic 3T (19 sets).

Each of these drones saves the lives of the defenders and brings Ukraine’s victory closer, so we urge you to support the charity fundraising and strengthen the reconnaissance and strike capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Conclusion.

What kind of drones the military needs depends on the specifics of combat missions. Commercial UAV models such as the DJI Mavic 3 and DJI Matrice 300 remain the most popular due to their versatility and affordability, while specialized military drones significantly expand reconnaissance and fire control capabilities at the operational and strategic levels.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine need to constantly update and expand their drone fleet. Our foundation continues its systematic work to raise resources to provide the military with the necessary equipment. Each of your contributions to this cause is a concrete and effective step towards Ukraine’s victory.

By supporting the charitable foundation, you help our military to receive powerful Ukrainian drones that effectively counter the enemy and save lives at the front. Join the Ukrainian Drones for Defense project with a regular donation to systematically provide the Armed Forces with the best Ukrainian-made drones.