Ukraine has confirmed the operational use of the Tempest buggy armed with Hellfire missiles, strengthening its mobile air defense amid the intensifying Russian drone attacks.
According to the Central Air Command, the teams have already destroyed 21 Shahed drones, marking the first verified use of the system in real combat.
Produced by the American company V2X, the Tempest was designed for fast missions in contested environments, with the ability to move immediately after firing. The vehicle combines two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles with a compact tactical radar capable of detecting, tracking, and classifying drones even in adverse weather conditions.
According to the Air Force, the system’s survivability depends directly on mobility, which reduces exposure to artillery strikes and stray munitions. The command emphasizes that teams operate under high time pressure, requiring rapid decisions and precise neutralizations to protect civilian areas and critical infrastructure.
The introduction of the Tempest comes at a time of increased Russian drone activity during winter, when low visibility favors surprise attacks. For Kyiv, the new system adds another layer of protection within a strategy that combines traditional air defense, electronic warfare, and mobile platforms to counter the ongoing threat from enemy drones.
Source: Defence Blog | Photo: Facebook – PvkCenter | This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
