Ukraine to receive additional tranche of UAVs

Quantum-Systems Vector UAV, suited for a range of reconnaissance missions and capable of operating at speeds of up to 25 m/s in challenging environments, has been selected by the Ukrainian MoD. (Quantum-Systems)

Ukraine has ordered an additional tranche of reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

According to Germany-based Quantum-Systems, the company has received a contract from Ukraine's Ministry of Defence (MoD) for 105 Vector reconnaissance UAVs.

Ukraine's armed forces will receive the systems, which have been funded by the German government, the company detailed.

Quantum-Systems was unable to comment on delivery timeframes and contract value for contractual reasons.

In addition to providing the UAVs, the company will open a facility in Ukraine that will offer user training and maintenance support, Quantum-Systems said.

This is the second contract in less than a year placed by Kyiv for the company's Vector UAV. In August 2022, Ukraine ordered 33 Vector UAVs for its armed forces, financed by the German ‘security capacity building' fund.

Vector is an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) UAV suitable for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, including for border patrol, search-and-rescue, and battlefield surveillance. It can be fitted with either a NextVision Nighthawk2-UZ or Trillium Engineering's HD40-LV electro-optical payload. The UAV has a wingspan of 2.8 m, a maximum take-off weight of 7.4 kg, and an endurance of up to two hours.

The system has been used extensively on the Ukrainian battlefield, where it has “proven to be an asset for military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations”, the company said.