According to Phantom Defense, a single crew of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine intercepted more than 500 enemy UAVs using net deployment modules over a six-month period.

“Integrating KARAKURT into our ecosystem enables us to meet the demand among military units for highly effective yet affordable short-range interception solutions. This acquisition creates new opportunities to scale and further develop a product that has already demonstrated strong performance on the front line, backed by real combat experience,” commented a Phantom Defense representative.

MANGAL — A Net-Based Drone Interception System for Close-Range Protection

As part of the development of this acquisition, Phantom Defense has introduced MANGAL, a close-range UAV net interception system integrated into its counter-UAS ecosystem.

The system is designed to provide point-defense air protection for military vehicles, stationary positions, and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) against hostile drones.

MANGAL combines artificial intelligence with daylight and thermal imaging cameras to detect aerial threats and automatically identify targets. The response time from detection to net launch is one second.

Once activated, the system launches a net that physically entangles the drone and prevents it from continuing its flight.

The modular system is equipped with six net launchers and has an effective engagement range of 5 to 15 meters. Its built-in battery provides at least 8 hours of autonomous operation. MANGAL can also be powered by an additional battery module or a combat vehicle's onboard electrical system.

About Phantom Defense

Phantom Defense is a Ukrainian defense technology company developing an integrated ecosystem for countering unmanned threats, including electronic warfare (EW), target detection systems, kinetic interception solutions, and a situational awareness and battle management platform.

Its products have demonstrated their effectiveness in combat conditions in Ukraine, with applications ranging from protecting military units to safeguarding critical infrastructure and cities.

The company employs more than 620 people and operates nine production facilities, with a combined manufacturing capacity of more than 100 drones and 200 electronic warfare devices per day.

‍

Ukrainian defense technology company Phantom Defense has announced the completion of its acquisition of the developer of KARAKURT net launchers. The transaction involves the full acquisition of the business and its team. Integrating drone net interception technology into the Phantom Defense ecosystem will strengthen the protection of frontline units and infrastructure facilities against various types of unmanned threats.

The KARAKURT net deployment system enables the physical interception of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) without kinetic impact. Using a net-launching module, the device deploys a durable net over the target, entangling its rotors and preventing further flight. As a result, enemy reconnaissance or strike drones lose control and descend to the ground largely intact.

Phantom Defense highlights the following advantages of KARAKURT net launchers:

• Preservation of captured UAVs: The absence of detonation allows enemy drones to be brought down in a condition suitable for examination or potential reuse in combat operations by Ukraine's Defense Forces.
• Cost-effectiveness: Compared with missile- or artillery-based air defense systems, net launchers are more economical to manufacture and maintain, enabling large-scale deployment across units along the front line.
• Protection of critical infrastructure: Net launchers minimize the risk of collateral damage caused by explosions and debris, making them an effective solution for protecting critical and civilian infrastructure against various types of unmanned threats.

KARAKURT counter-drone systems are adapted for different carrier platforms and tactical scenarios:

• For DJI Mavic, Matrice, and Autel platforms (M3, M4, A4 variants), the system deploys a net vertically from above. This makes it possible to neutralize enemy UAVs lying in wait on rooftops or on the ground.
• For FPV drones and specialized platforms (FPV and LS variants), the system uses forward net deployment with a target retention mechanism to intercept moving targets at high speed.

With modules weighing as little as 201 g, the net launchers have virtually no impact on the carrier drone's maneuverability or flight endurance.

Combat Deployment of KARAKURT Net Modules

Over the past six months, military units have deployed more than 50,000 KARAKURT kits. To collect operational data and further improve the technology, the company has introduced a program offering free replacement of consumables to units that submit video evidence of successful enemy UAV interceptions.

The program has already recorded more than 5,000 video-confirmed interceptions. This reduces the financial burden on military units while providing developers with practical feedback to continuously improve the technology.

‍

The company presented Specter PRO, a dome and directional electronic warfare system designed to protect strongpoints, brigade headquarters, and critical infrastructure facilities. The trials also featured Specter L, X, and XL — a family of compact EW systems optimized for operation in complex and extreme conditions. These solutions are used by mobile teams to protect units and equipment near the front line.

Phantom Defense also demonstrated Streamhunter, a video interception system that successfully intercepted UAV video signals during the trials.

All deployed solutions were integrated with a C2 system, which provided situational awareness, transmitted data on detected targets, and coordinated the operation of countermeasures, including EW systems and Streamhunter.

“Participation in Gauntlet II gave Phantom Defense the opportunity not only to present Ukrainian technologies, but also to demonstrate the practical value of our experience in modern warfare. Ukrainian-American defense cooperation should be reciprocal: Ukraine is already able to share with its partners technologies, field-ready products, and experience gained in real time. This makes it possible to understand which solutions work, under what conditions they lose effectiveness, and how quickly the adversary adapts to new technologies,” said a representative of Phantom Defense.

During the trials, Phantom Defense EW systems demonstrated successful UAV suppression and maintained their effectiveness across varying weather conditions, including daytime heat and rain.

In addition to the direct use of countermeasure systems, Phantom Defense recreated the type of environment that drone operators face on the modern battlefield. This made it possible to assess UAV performance under active countermeasures and evaluate how their effectiveness changes when exposed to detection and suppression systems.

The successful performance of the Phantom Defense team and its counter-UAS solutions drew the attention of the U.S. side. Following Gauntlet II, Phantom Defense received invitations to take part in a number of upcoming events and trials within the Drone Dominance program.

Ukrainian defense technology company Phantom Defense, which develops an integrated ecosystem for countering unmanned threats, took part in Gauntlet II — a stage of the U.S. Drone Dominance program held at Fort Carson, Colorado. The company was one of three participants involved in creating the adversarial environment used to test unmanned systems.

This approach makes it possible to evaluate drone capabilities not only under standard operating conditions, but also in an environment that more closely reflects the modern battlefield, where unmanned systems may encounter detection, electronic warfare, and other C-UAS measures.

For Gauntlet II, Phantom Defense deployed a counter-UAS system combining video interception capabilities, a C2 system for detection, classification, engagement, and suppression-result confirmation, as well as electronic warfare systems.

‍

Balaban is part of Phantom Defense’s integrated counter-UAS ecosystem, which brings together detection capabilities, the AI-assisted Skydarix radar system, Specter electronic warfare systems, the Streamhunter video signal interception system, and Karakurt net-launching systems.

About the company

Phantom Defense is a Ukrainian defense technology company developing an integrated ecosystem for countering unmanned threats, including electronic warfare systems, target detection systems, kinetic countermeasures, and a situational awareness and command-and-control platform. The company’s products have proven their effectiveness in combat conditions in Ukraine and can be scaled from protecting individual units to defending critical infrastructure and cities.

‍

‍

The Balaban interceptor drone developed by Ukrainian defense technology company Phantom Defense has been codified by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Balaban is a fixed-wing UAV designed for extended airspace patrol and the interception of aerial targets. The codification enables the system to be officially supplied to Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

Balaban can remain airborne for up to 2.5 hours, reach speeds of up to 250 km/h, and operate within a radius of up to 70 km. One of the interceptor’s key features is its reusability: if no target is detected, the drone can return to base for subsequent missions.

Key Features and Capabilities

• Video channel switching. Enables rapid switching between video channels during operation.
• VTX power control. Allows the operator to remotely switch the VTX on or off to reduce the risk of exposing the launch location.
• Two-way telemetry. Provides continuous real-time communication with the aircraft and access to critical system status data.
• Autopilot. Enables full control, configuration, and execution of automated missions through the ground control station.
• Return-to-home capability. Enables automatic compass-based return to base in the event of signal loss or upon the operator’s command if a target has not been detected or intercepted.
• Alternative navigation without GPS. Uses radio beacons for positioning with accuracy of up to 100 meters and enables automatic return to the launch point.

‍

Blade is part of Phantom Defense’s integrated ecosystem for countering unmanned threats, bringing together detection systems, electronic warfare capabilities, kinetic interceptors, and a situational awareness and command-and-control platform. This approach integrates multiple counter-UAS capabilities into a unified system — from target detection and tracking to neutralization.

Blade will soon be available for order on the Brave1 Market.

About the company

Phantom Defense is a Ukrainian defense technology company developing an integrated ecosystem for countering unmanned threats. The company’s products have proven their effectiveness in combat conditions in Ukraine and can be scaled from protecting individual units to defending critical infrastructure and cities. Phantom Defense employs more than 850 people and operates nine production sites with a combined capacity of more than 100 interceptor drones and 200 electronic warfare devices per day.

‍

Ukrainian defense technology company Phantom Defense, which develops an integrated ecosystem for countering unmanned threats, has completed the codification of its Blade interceptor drone by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. This enables the system to be procured for Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

Blade is designed to intercept fixed-wing UAVs. The interceptor reaches a maximum speed of up to 310 km/h, can carry a payload of up to 0.5 kg, and has an operational range of up to 30 km. Its vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability allows Blade to operate from unprepared sites without relying on runways. Daylight and thermal imaging cameras enable round-the-clock operations.

Blade is supported by a ground control station that provides telemetry, video feed, and flight control. The operator uses a portable case-based workstation capable of at least four hours of continuous operation.

"The codification of Blade is an important milestone, moving the system from development and testing to readiness for delivery to the Defense Forces. It also provides a foundation for scaling production, enabling cost-effective target interception, and further developing our kinetic interceptor capabilities as part of an integrated system for countering unmanned threats," Phantom Defense said.

Phantom Defense solutions have been battle-tested in Ukraine, including as part of a project to protect the urban infrastructure of a regional center, where more than 7,000 hostile UAVs have been neutralized.

Participation in Eurosatory 2026 was not only an opportunity for Phantom Defense to showcase its technologies, but also to engage directly with partners. Throughout the exhibition, the team met with existing partners to discuss further cooperation and held a series of initial meetings with prospective partners and customers from multiple countries interested in integrating Phantom Defense solutions into their own defense systems.

"The interest we saw at the exhibition confirms that the market is becoming increasingly aware of the seriousness of the drone threat. Drawing on our combat experience, we advocate a comprehensive approach to countering these threats," the company added.

About the company

Phantom Defense is a Ukrainian defense technology company developing an integrated ecosystem for countering unmanned threats, including a command-and-control platform, detection systems, electronic warfare systems, and interceptor drones. The company’s solutions are deployed in combat conditions in Ukraine and can be scaled from mobile protection to the defense of critical infrastructure and entire cities.

‍

‍

Ukrainian defense technology company Phantom Defense, a developer of counter-UAS systems, presented its integrated drone detection and countermeasure ecosystem at the international Eurosatory 2026 exhibition.

The company showcased:

• UAV detection systems;
• kinetic counter-UAS and electronic warfare systems;
• a situational awareness and command-and-control (C2) platform.

Phantom Defense’s approach is built around the “Detect — Defeat” principle. Data from radars, electronic intelligence sensors, and video signal interception systems is fed into the C2 platform, which creates a unified operational picture, recommends response options to military operators managing counter-UAS assets, and records successful engagements.

The ecosystem includes the Specter family of electronic warfare systems for disrupting UAV control, navigation, and video transmission signals; Blade multirotor interceptor drones and the Balaban fixed-wing interceptor; the Karakurt line of net-launching systems; the Streamhunter video signal interception system; and the Skydarix radar prototype, featuring an active electronically scanned array (AESA) and AI-assisted 360-degree aerial target detection.

"There is no one-size-fits-all solution to drone threats; each type of UAV requires a tailored approach. That is why we do not offer standalone devices — we provide an ecosystem of solutions that have already proven their effectiveness in combat," said a Phantom Defense representative.

‍