US unveils attack drones for Ukraine

The new “Ghost” drone is part of the latest US weapons package for Ukraine, developed by the US Air Force to attack targets and self-destruct later, the Pentagon said on April 21. single use, according to Reuters.

The US and its allies have increased arms shipments to Kiev before Russia announced an attack on eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces have used Western-backed weapons including Stinger and Javelin missiles along with drones such as the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and the US-made Switchblade.

Earlier, the White House said on April 21 that more than 121 Phoenix Ghost tactical drone systems would be supplied to Ukraine as part of a new weapons package. According to the Pentagon, the Ghost drone is well suited for the war in the Donbass region of Ukraine, where the terrain is flat.

“The weapons were supplied under a range of requirements consistent with what Ukraine needs right now in the Donbass,” said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.

Little is known about US drones, and Kirby declined to provide further details including their exact range and capabilities. However, he still said that they were designed primarily for offensive purposes.

“Of course, aircraft can also be used to provide images. But its main focus is on attack,” Mr. Kirby said.

A small number of Ukrainians have received training in the US on how to operate the Switchblade drone, a single-use weapon that flies on target and explodes on impact. Mr. Kirby said that the training of the Ghost operator will be similar to the training of the Switchblade operator. However, he refused to reveal the details of the plan or say how many people Ukraine will participate in training.

Currently, the Ghost drones have not been delivered to Ukraine.