Griffen becomes the first Ukrainian jet-powered interceptor confirmed to have shot down a Shahed, manufacturer says

Firebolt Engineering, a British-Ukrainian deftech company, has demonstrated the combat operation of its Griffen interceptor drone. The manufacturer claims it has become the first jet-powered interceptor in Ukraine confirmed to have shot down a Russian Shahed.

Firebolt Engineering was jointly established by the Ukrainian Technary team and the British investment platform Grenadyr, according to Technary CEO Hennadii Suldin. His team is responsible for development, while Grenadyr assists with financing, strategic management, partnership development, and access to international markets.

Griffen is Firebolt Engineering’s first product. Development began last year, and the project has since evolved twice. The manufacturers say it was created in response to the appearance of jet-powered modifications of the Shahed, which reach higher speeds, making them harder to shoot down with conventional interceptors.

Griffen has a fixed wing, reaches speeds of over 350 km/h, can climb to altitudes above 7.5 km, and has a range of up to 120 km. Suldin adds that the drone can fly for 20 minutes at a speed of around 300 km/h and withstand up to 10 landings. The estimated cost of the drone is UAH 370,000-470,000.

The video provided by the manufacturer shows a catapult launch followed by the destruction of a Shahed:

The manufacturer says it has now begun scaling up production and expanding the supply of power units, which are supplied by a British manufacturer. Small pre-series batches of the interceptor are currently being produced.

Griffen is subsequently intended to be integrated into multi-layered air defence systems, with plans to expand its autonomy. The company is also developing a jet-powered mid-strike drone for strike missions.