The Swedish Armed Forces have tasked the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) with studying and procuring so-called interceptor drones, unmanned aerial vehicles designed to detect, track and neutralise other drones.
According to a press release from the Swedish Armed Forces, the work is intended to quickly produce proposals on how interceptor UAVs, internationally referred to as interceptor drones, can be introduced and used in the Swedish Armed Forces' operations. The assignment covers both a study and procurement.
"Interceptor UAVs are a rapidly developing area. The assignment therefore places high demands on pace, innovation and collaboration. The work will be conducted cross-functionally and requires coordination between several projects and activities within the Swedish Armed Forces and FMV, where the GUTE project, among others, will play an important role," says Kristoffer Rahlskog, materiel area manager for counter-UAS (C-UAS) at the Army Staff, in the press release.
The Swedish Armed Forces describe the initiative as a step towards introducing more cost-effective capabilities for protection against drone threats. The press release does not specify how many interceptor UAVs are to be procured, which systems are being considered, or the financial scope of the assignment.