Ukraine to Get U.S.-made Vampire Counter-Drone System by mid-2023

The U.S. plans to supply Ukraine with Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE) counter-drone systems by mid-2023.

“Air defense 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 was quoted as saying by Defense News. “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 Pentagon on Aug. 24 announced it would send the VAMPIRE system as part of a larger arms package to Kyiv.

Related news: Russia to Get 200+ Iranian Drones in November

The L3Harris-made VAMPIRE is a portable kit that can be installed on most vehicles with a cargo bed for launching of the advanced precision kill weapons system (APKWS) or other laser-guided munitions. At the Association of the U.S. Army trade show last month, the company displayed it with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System, a rocket launcher made by BAE Systems.