Ukraine deploys AI-guided robotic gun turrets, including against jet-powered drones like Geran-5
Ukraine says AI-driven turrets have downed Russian drones, including jet-engine types such as the Geran-5, as Kyiv adds more of them near bridges and key infrastructure.
The drone war between Russia and Ukraine has now reached artificial intelligence. To stop Russia's fast jet-engine drones, Ukraine has deployed robotic gun turrets run by AI. Ukraine's air force claims the system has succeeded in bringing down Russian drones. Notably, the turret has also targeted jet-powered drones such as the Geran-5.
The robotic turret uses machine vision and artificial intelligence. The system identifies an incoming target in the air, tracks it and swings the gun to point exactly at it. This eases the burden on the human operator and cuts the reaction time against fast-approaching drones. Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for Ukraine's air force, said AI has reduced human error and made it possible to use the system against jet drones as well.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on October 4 that more than 12 such turrets had been deployed in Kyiv. Preparations are under way to install eight more in the Kyiv area. Some systems are being deployed around bridges and key infrastructure. However, the turrets have a short range, as their main weapon is a machine gun.
In recent days Russia has stepped up its use of fast jet-engine drones alongside conventional Shahed drones. These fly at higher speeds and at different altitudes, making them harder for Ukraine's air defence to stop. For this reason, Ukraine is trying to expand its use of AI turrets, interceptor drones and other cheaper defence systems instead of depending entirely on expensive missiles.
