Here's the Reason Why Ukraine FPV Drones Are Better

Why Ukraine FPV Drones Are Better

Ukraine is upgrading its fleet of first-person-view (FPV) drones, which have become a staple in its conflict with Russia, to enhance their effectiveness against Moscow's armored vehicles as Kyiv grapples with diminishing ammunition reserves from its Western allies. Ukrainian authorities have announced the development of armor-piercing ammunition, known as EFP, tailored for use with its FPV drone fleet.

Ukraine Army With FPV drones

Reports from Ukrainian media suggest that this ammunition is specifically designed to target military vehicles with varying degrees of armor, including armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, and self-propelled artillery. According to Ukrainian sources, this ammunition boasts a velocity of 1,800 meters per second.

Military expert David Hambling explains that Explosive Formed Projectiles (EFPs) are a variation of standard armor-piercing shaped charge rounds. While they may penetrate less armor compared to other shaped charges, they offer an extended range, making them advantageous in certain scenarios.

The key benefit of integrating EFP ammunition with Ukraine's FPV drones lies in the ability of operators in Kyiv to remotely trigger the rounds. This feature allows the ammunition to bypass obstacles like cages or netting often used to shield vehicles from FPVs.

FPV drones have become emblematic of Ukraine's utilization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), serving both as platforms for capturing battlefield footage and as reconnaissance tools to guide artillery strikes.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Kyiv's Minister of Digital Transformation, leading Ukraine's drone operations against Russia, noted their efficacy, stating that at times, they outperform artillery.

As concerns mount over Ukraine's dwindling ammunition supplies, the incorporation of EFP ammunition onto FPV drones offers a partial solution to bridge the gap between Ukraine's ammunition needs and its current stocks.

Despite high demand for ammunition assistance from Western allies, including NATO, supplies have been limited, exacerbating Ukraine's reliance on alternative measures like FPV drones.

Throughout the conflict's duration, Ukraine has raced to develop innovative drone solutions, initially dominating FPV manufacturing before facing increased competition from Russia. To sustain its drone supply, Kyiv has organized fundraisers to support production.

Russian efforts have significantly bolstered FPV development, with large quantities being deployed to the frontline, creating an asymmetry in drone capabilities between the two sides.

While FPV drones have become prevalent in Ukrainian warfare, their effectiveness varies, with mixed results reported by analysts. Challenges such as limited range and countermeasures employed by Russia necessitate continued innovation and adaptation on Ukraine's part.

The escalating use of FPV drones underscores Ukraine's resort to unconventional tactics to counter Russia's advance, with initiatives ranging from improvised weaponry to advanced sensor networks. Despite their utility, FPV drones cannot fully substitute conventional artillery, highlighting the multifaceted nature of Ukraine's defense strategy.