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When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the skies over Kyiv quickly became a battleground. Ukrainian defenders, relying on Soviet-era air defence systems such as the S-300 and Buk-M1, showed remarkable resilience despite overwhelming odds. But as the war progressed, the need for rapid modernisation became clear. Today, cutting-edge technologies are transforming Ukraine’s air defence capabilities, offering new levels of automation, efficiency, and protection.
A Shifting Battlefield
Modern warfare is now defined by the use of massed, low-cost drone swarms capable of overwhelming traditional air defence systems. Ukraine’s forces, often operating in complex urban terrain, must continually reposition mobile air defence units to counter these aerial threats. Many of these systems are operated by young men and women, reflecting Ukraine’s broad mobilisation effort.
On the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion in February 2024, Ukraine faced a record-setting assault of 267 drones launched across the country, marking the largest drone attack of the war to date. While Kyiv was among the affected regions, the scale of the attack spanned the nation. This highlights how the drone threat has escalated and underscores the need for more adaptable and cost-effective defence solutions.
Conventional air defence systems require extensive manpower and logistics—often deploying costly missiles against threats that could be neutralised with more efficient options. This is where automation is becoming a game-changer.
Automation and the Future of Air Defence
A breakthrough solution is emerging in the form of Advent Atum’s HORAS Threat Detection and Engagement (TDE) system. Speaking on the Defence Connect podcast, CEO Andy Wilson described how HORAS is transforming Ukraine’s air defence capabilities by fully automating the “kill chain”—the process of detecting, tracking, assessing, and neutralising threats.
“HORAS TDE is an intelligent fire control system that detects, tracks, assesses, and engages targets autonomously,” Wilson explained. “We are fully automating the kill chain, allowing for faster and more effective responses to airborne threats.”
At the heart of HORAS is a powerful combination of active and passive sensing technologies, including radar, LiDAR, passive radar, RF detection, and computer vision. By fusing these capabilities, the system provides operators with a real-time, comprehensive view of the battlefield, enhancing accuracy and response times.
A Connected Defence Network
Beyond simply improving engagement, HORAS integrates seamlessly into broader battle management systems. This means that when HORAS detects a threat, that intelligence is instantly relayed across Ukraine’s command networks, ensuring that decision-makers have a complete operational picture.
“Not only does it automate the kill chain, but it also integrates with battle management systems,” Wilson said. “Any threat detected by HORAS is instantly visible to commanders, with critical data on range and classification.”
A key advantage of HORAS is its ability to remain undetectable. Many traditional air defence systems rely on sensors that emit electromagnetic signals, making them vulnerable to enemy detection and targeting. HORAS, however, incorporates passive sensing technologies, allowing it to operate covertly while still identifying and neutralising threats.
Beyond Drones: A Versatile Weapon System
While HORAS is primarily deployed for counter-drone operations, its capabilities extend across multiple domains. The system can be used to automate weapons for engagements in air, sea, and land combat, offering a versatile solution to a rapidly evolving battlefield.
Automation delivers several critical benefits: improved targeting accuracy, reduced collateral damage, and better resource allocation. By increasing precision, HORAS allows Ukraine to use munitions more efficiently and direct expensive guided weapons toward larger, high-value threats.
“Modern air and missile defence is measured in cost-per-kill,” Wilson explained. “Missiles are incredibly expensive. If you have to use one against a drone, it’s inefficient. HORAS prioritises engagements, ensuring that anti-aircraft gunfire—the most cost-effective option—is used first.”
Staying Ahead in the Innovation Race
Electronic warfare (EW) has played a significant role in countering drones, but adversaries are adapting quickly. Many modern drones are now equipped with AI-driven navigation systems, allowing them to operate without relying on external signals that EW systems can disrupt. As a result, kinetic kill chains—where drones are physically destroyed—are becoming more critical than ever.
“We need to dramatically expand our industrial capacity to counter the growing drone threat,” Wilson said. “EW still has its place, but drones are becoming more autonomous and harder to jam. In Ukraine, the innovation cycle is just 40 days—if you develop a capability today, a countermeasure will exist in just over a month.”
HORAS also significantly improves the accuracy of legacy air defence platforms, increasing their effectiveness on the battlefield.
“Even with 60-year-old systems, we could and should improve the probability of a kill shot from 1% to 30%,” Wilson noted. “This is especially important in urban environments, where reducing the beaten zone helps protect civilians.”
A Long-Term Commitment to Ukraine’s Defence
Following a soft launch earlier this year, demand for HORAS has ramped up significantly. While no units have been sold yet, interest has accelerated to the point that Advent Atum has established a subsidiary in Ukraine, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the country’s armed forces.
Expanded Offerings: Detection, Weapon Systems, and Force Protection
Advent Atum is also offering military-grade drone detectors that outperform anything on the market—at a highly competitive price point. This capability represents the evolution of the original Tsukorok detector, redesigned to meet the Australian Army’s requirements. Developed in partnership with Gnizdo and Drone Spices LTD, two UK-based but Ukrainian-led companies, the Sugar V detector has proven itself superior to several incumbent systems. Weighing just 250 grams, the Sugar V is designed to fit in a standard SPR pouch and transmits drone detections to connected Battle Management Systems (BMS) and Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) networks.
In addition, Advent Atum is fielding a suite of Remote Weapon Stations (RWS) and weapon systems that are natively compatible with HORAS, specifically tailored for Australia’s LAND 156 program. These offerings ensure seamless integration between sensors and effectors across mounted and dismounted platforms.
For force protection, Advent Atum is also advancing Active Protection System (APS) capabilities, expanding the utility of its AI fire control and threat detection solutions to protect high-value assets and frontline forces from guided munitions, loitering threats, and direct-fire weapons.
Defending the Skies, Defining the Future
As Ukraine continues its fight for sovereignty, technology like HORAS provides a decisive edge. By modernising air defence through automation, Ukraine is not only strengthening its immediate security but also setting a new standard for the future of warfare. The modern battlefield is evolving rapidly, demanding adaptable, efficient, and precise solutions.
With innovations like HORAS, Ukraine is not just defending its airspace—it is shaping the next generation of global air defence. The future of warfare belongs to those who can outthink, outpace, and outmanoeuvre the threats of tomorrow. And with companies like Advent Atum at the forefront, Ukraine is proving that technological superiority can be as critical as military might.
Liam Garman
Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media