Ukraine’s homemade robot air defence unit has already taken down a helicopter: Now they want 10 more
August 8, 2025
On the front lines, Ukrainian troops have rigged a Soviet-era Igla missile launcher onto a remote-controlled robot, creating a homegrown air defence system.
The modified platform enables soldiers to fire the usually shoulder-launched Igla from a distance, reducing their exposure to enemy fire.
The system was homemade, developed by engineers from the 28th Mechanised Brigade. According to United 24 Media, quoting official statements from the brigade, it has already shot down at least one Russian helicopter.
Images released by the unit show the compact tracked robot navigating rough terrain with the Igla MANPADS (man-portable air defence system) launcher securely mounted on top.
The breakthrough lies not in the hardware itself, since Igla systems have been in service for decades. Rather, it’s the novel way it’s being deployed on the battlefield.
Homemade robot defender keeps Ukrainian troops safe
Traditionally used by soldiers firing from concealed positions, MANPADS have become increasingly risky to operate as Russia ramps up the use of first-person-view (FPV) drones to hunt and expose Ukrainian infantry.
“Where previously MANPADS could be used directly from trenches, now FPV drones make it difficult for soldiers to even leave cover,” the brigade explained.
By integrating the launcher with an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) and fitting it with a remote targeting module, soldiers can now engage helicopters and reconnaissance UAVs without stepping into the open. The system can be operated from a protected distance, drastically reducing the exposure of personnel to enemy fire and drone surveillance.
The design, assembled entirely in-house by the brigade’s engineers, is part of a growing trend across Ukraine’s military: adapting existing technologies into nimble, battlefield-ready systems that suit the rapidly changing dynamics of drone-era warfare.
The 28th Brigade has already launched a fundraising initiative to build ten more of the Igla-equipped UGVs, intending to mass-produce them directly within military units.
Ukraine conflict is stimulating rapid innovations in military technology
The new mobile air defence platform isn’t an isolated case. It reflects a larger shift in Ukraine’s military doctrine, towards decentralised innovation and repurposing of legacy systems.
With more limited resources and personnel than their adversary, Ukrainian armed forces have been forced to think outside the box to get the upper hand.
In late 2024, Ukraine formally launched the 20th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems, emerging from the former K-2 battalion. The unit, hailed as the world’s first dedicated unmanned ground systems regiment, has been tasked with everything from frontline combat support to casualty evacuation using a variety of ground-based robots.
With thousands of applications received for the regiment’s expansion, it’s clear there is both strategic value and domestic enthusiasm for robotic warfare.
Ukraine’s plight is spurring a wave of innovation from the industry, too.
For example, an AI-powered aerial drone from former Google Founder Eric Schmidt’s company, Swift Beat, is helping Ukraine take down swarms of one-way Russian attack drones.
Additionally, novel surveillance technologies like the Rooster hybrid drone, now NATO-approved, are getting put through their paces in the field.
This real-world proving ground is laying the foundations for the way war is waged in the future. Tomorrow’s conflicts will likely see more personnel wearing VR headsets than body armour, as nations turn to robot soldiers to keep the humans safe.
