The Ukrainian armed forces, in a bid to counteract the relentless barrage of Russian drones, have adopted a novel approach reminiscent of World War I dogfights. Utilizing 1970s-era propeller planes, such as the Yakovlev Yak-52 and Aeroprakt A-22, these aircraft are now repurposed to patrol the skies, hunting the drones that perpetually menace Ukrainian cities and military installations. This innovative and economically judicious method has rapidly garnered attention and is steadily gaining traction among the ranks of Ukraine's defenders.
A recent video circulating on social media showcased the prowess of Ukrainian aviators employing the locally manufactured Aeroprakt A-22 sport plane. In this footage, a gunner is seen targeting a Russian drone with an assault rifle from the left-side seat of the two-seater aircraft. This tactic mirrors the strategies initially devised by the crew of a Yak-52, borrowed from a Ukrainian flying club, which has been successfully shooting down Russian drones since mid-April.
The Yak-52’s methodology, characterized by its simplicity and efficacy, underscores the financial prudence behind the strategy. Ukrainian forces, constrained by budgetary limitations, cannot afford to deploy high-cost air-defense missiles against relatively inexpensive drones. For instance, a single advanced missile, weighing several thousand pounds and costing millions of dollars, is a prohibitive expenditure when targeting a mere 33-pound Orlan-10 drone, valued at $100,000. Conversely, the operational cost of a Yak-52 or A-22 is just a few hundred dollars per hour, with the price of ammunition being almost negligible in comparison.
Given these financial imperatives, it is unsurprising that the Ukrainian intelligence directorate has turned to the A-22 for these critical drone-defense missions. The A-22, an aircraft typically favored by hobby pilots for leisurely flights, boasts attributes well-suited for the task. Leighnor Aircraft, an Arizona-based dealer, extols the virtues of the A-22 on its website, highlighting its ease of handling, ruggedness, and impressive short-field performance, all while cruising at 95-plus knots.
The versatility of the A-22 extends beyond drone defense; Kyiv’s forces have also employed these planes in offensive roles. A-22s, retrofitted for autonomous flight and laden with explosives, have successfully executed long-range strikes on military and industrial targets within Russia. However, this aircraft does have limitations. The A-22's Rotax engine, generating 100 horsepower, pales in comparison to the Yak-52’s 360-horsepower Vedeneyev engine. This discrepancy in power-to-weight ratio can impact the A-22's performance in tight aerial engagements with drones.
Nevertheless, the pragmatic deployment of these light aircraft underscores Ukraine's adaptability and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. Each drone neutralized by these propellered protectors represents a significant strategic advantage, curtailing the reconnaissance capabilities of Russian forces. In a particularly devastating series of events, Russian drones recently facilitated the targeting of Ukrainian airfields by Iskander ballistic missiles, resulting in the loss of at least three fighter jets. Such incidents highlight the critical need for effective drone interception.
While these propeller planes may not be ideally suited for defending active airfields, where they could potentially interfere with the operations of warplanes, they hold considerable promise for safeguarding urban areas. By patrolling southern Ukrainian cities, these light aircraft can relieve the burden on heavier ground-based air defenses, allowing these more substantial resources to be redeployed to more vulnerable air bases.
In essence, the adoption of vintage propeller planes for drone defense epitomizes the ingenuity and determination of the Ukrainian armed forces. This cost-effective and innovative strategy not only addresses the immediate threat posed by Russian drones but also exemplifies the broader resilience and strategic acumen of Ukraine in its ongoing conflict.
