Ukraine expected to get drone-killer "Vampire" from US next year

The US is aiming to send Ukraine the anti-drone “Vampire” system by mid-2023.

A contract award with a manufacturer is expected to be finalised within months, per Defense News.

The Pentagon on August 24 announced it would send the system, a laser-guided-missile launcher that can quickly be installed in a civilian truck bed, as part of a larger arms package. But despite Russia’s expanded use of Iranian-made kamikaze drones to target Ukraine’s power stations and other key infrastructure, the Pentagon hasn’t yet approved a contract to deliver the system.

“Air defence continues to be a priority, it’s something we’re going to continue to stay focused on and work as quickly as we can,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said. “In reference to the Vampires, we do expect a contract award within the next few months, and right now we’re anticipating delivery to be in mid-2023.”

The L3Harris-made Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment uses laser-guided munitions to hit ground or air targets, including unmanned aircraft systems. At the Association of the US Army trade show here last month, the company displayed it with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System, a rocket launcher made by BAE Systems.

L3Harris expects to deliver the Vampire within the 9-month window requested by the Pentagon once the company is under contract, according to a company spokesman.

In recent days, the Biden administration has said Iranian troops are directly engaged on the ground in Crimea supporting Russian drone attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure. Russia has been using a mix of missiles and loitering munition strikes over the last four weeks to deprive Ukraine of electricity as the temperature falls at the onset of winter.

For Ukraine and its allies, time is of the essence. Because new Russian units aren’t yet available, Russia’s ability to conduct ground operations is at an ebb.

“Now is when Ukraine’s partners must lay the groundwork for a military victory in 2023,” the London-based Royal United Services Institute said in a new assessment.