Ukraine Hopes to Stop Russian ‘Shahed’ Kamikaze Drones with Upgraded Iris Radar

A software upgrade to the Iris drone-detection radar aims to improve Ukraine’s ability to identify and engage Russian Shahed-type kamikaze drones earlier.

Ukrainian officials state that up to 80% of battlefield casualties on both sides are now caused by drones. Detecting them has become a primary defense priority.

Developed by Dutch company Robin Radar, the Iris system has been in Ukrainian service since early in the full-scale invasion. The company confirmed to BFBS Forces News that a recent upgrade more than doubled its detection radius from 5 km to 12 km, enhancing early warning against low-flying threats.

Marcel Verdonk, Chief Commercial Officer at Robin Radar, said, “You want to ideally see them at 7-8 km optimum range – and this capability enables just that.” He added that the update, which uses artificial intelligence to improve tracking accuracy, is based on feedback from Ukrainian operators. Because it is software-based, all existing systems can be upgraded in the field.

The Shahed drone, seen over Ukraine since 2022, has been modified by Russia to increase lethality. Its size and speed allow it to damage buildings even without explosives. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram that rescue operations had concluded at a residential building in Kyiv struck by one such drone. “In just this one week, the Russians have used against Ukraine almost 1,200 attack drones and 50 missiles of various types – most of them, in fact, ballistic,” he posted.

According to the report, approximately 200 Iris radars are currently deployed, although specific details remain undisclosed. Each unit weighs about 29 kg, provides 360-degree coverage, and has a starting price of €500,000. Systems are typically mounted on tripods, buildings, or poles to protect energy facilities, government sites, and military bases.

Both Ukraine and Russia have increasingly targeted critical national infrastructure. Russian fuel supplies have been disrupted, including at the Ryazan refinery southeast of Moscow after a reported Ukrainian drone attack last week. Meanwhile, Ukrainian cities continue to experience strikes that affect civilians and frontline logistics.

Verdonk described the technological contest as ongoing. Russia continues to adapt drone designs, while counter-drone firms race to keep detection ahead of the threat. More than three-and-a-half years into the invasion, there is no indication that drone warfare will diminish.