Uzbekistan Unveils Shunkor-8 Interceptor Anti-Drone

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Center for Innovative Technologies under Uzbekistan's Agency for Defence Industry has presented the Shunkor-8 anti-drone interceptor, developed to intercept unmanned aerial vehicles. The project received high praise from the president of Uzbekistan and is preparing for mass production.

The Shunkor-8 was developed by Bilolkhon Ismailov, an engineer at the Center for Innovative Technologies. According to Ismailov, cost efficiency is one of the key advantages of the development.

Standard kamikaze fixed-wing drones can strike targets at distances up to 2,000 km at an average speed of 130–180 km/h, Ismailov noted. Their cost ranges from US$20 thousand to US$50 thousand. Meanwhile, conventional air defense system interceptor missiles used to destroy such targets cost between US$2 million and US$4 million per unit.

To address this imbalance, the center developed an interceptor that is 900 times cheaper than air defense missiles, with production localization currently reaching 45%, Ismailov said.

The Shunkor-8 reaches a maximum speed of 450 km/h, has an operational range of 8–10 km, and a flight time of 10–15 minutes. Its maximum payload is up to 1 kg, which can consist of a kinetic ram or explosives.

Designed as an octocopter, the Shunkor-8 is capable of vertical takeoff and landing as well as horizontal maneuvering.

The system operates in conjunction with radar stations. Once a target is detected, data is transmitted to an operator who launches the interceptor.

Interception of an enemy UAV is carried out directly in the air through a kinetic impact or detonation of a warhead.

The Shunkor-8 has successfully passed tests at proving grounds in Chirchiq, Aranchi, and Kattakurgan.