08.08.2025
A light-engine agricultural aircraft equipped with R-73 air-to-air missiles was spotted over the fields of Ukraine. The “homemade interceptor” is made from a Moravan Z-137 Agro Turbo aircraft – a Czech-made aircraft, possibly manufactured in Soviet times.
Under the wings of the plane, pylons with R-73 infrared-guided missiles can be seen – a weapon typically used by fighter jets for close air combat. The video of the “homemade interceptor” was released by military observer Roman Bochkala.
Perhaps this is a development of the Ukrainian military, because it is quite difficult to imagine the use of missiles in agricultural work. However, experts believe that such an interceptor would be quite effective against Russian drones.
Decision against the “Shaheeds”
The R-73 missile (NATO reporting name AA-11 Archer) was also developed in Soviet times for highly maneuverable air combat, with capabilities such as omni-aspect guidance, fire-and-forget guidance, and the ability to launch missiles during aggressive air maneuvers.
Depending on the variant, the missile can hit targets at a distance of 20 to 40 km and an altitude of up to 20 km, tracking aircraft moving at speeds of up to 2,500 km/h.
It is believed that the video shows the adaptation of an agricultural aircraft as an interceptor for Russian strike and reconnaissance drones. The Z-137T Agro Turbo is far from a fighter jet – with a maximum speed of only 210 km/h, it is not capable of fighting combat aircraft.
However, its low operating costs, short takeoff and landing distance, and ease of modification make it a practical platform for patrolling against any drones (except jets).
What preceded
By the way, earlier, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky, confirmed the use of light aircraft in the fight against drones. Moreover, he called this a promising direction.
“One of the promising areas of counteraction to the Shahed is the use of light aircraft . We have them, and there are new projects thanks to financial and material assistance from our foreign partners. This area will develop. We are receiving modern light aircraft with modern weapons and navigation systems, which will increase the effectiveness of counteraction to Russian strike drones,” he noted.
As OBOZ.UA reported, on the night of August 8, Russia again attacked Ukraine from the air : the enemy used 108 air attack vehicles. These were 104 of the aforementioned Shahed attack UAVs and only four high-speed (jet) drones.
The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. 82 air targets were shot down/suppressed: 3 jet drones and 79 enemy UAVs in the north, south, east, and center of the country.
Anything goes. If it can shoot down drones, all the better. My solution would stop the drone problem immediately, send in a dozen Tomahawks to the factory producing them.
Fat chance getting those from the orange gangster. I hope they can get their Long Neptunes up and running soon.