How reconnaissance drones give Ukraine edge: inside combat use of Denmark’s Astero ISR systems

This is reported in the Military Summary of the Day with Serhiy Zgurets program on the Espreso TV channel.

These systems are being improved based on the experience of Ukrainian soldiers, who have been using them in combat conditions since the first months of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Feedback from the Ukrainian Armed Forces has become a key factor in the modernization of these drones.

Developers note that it was specifically through cooperation with Ukrainian fighters that they managed to significantly improve the design and functionality of the system, making it even more effective in real wartime conditions.

The Astero ISR is a lightweight reconnaissance drone, weighing 4.2 kg, and is launched by hand. It can stay in the air for up to four hours, providing continuous monitoring of the battlefield. 

The system is equipped with both day and night cameras, allowing it to capture even the smallest details at long distances. Its communication system includes two ground stations, which enable signal transmission over distances up to 42 km, allowing the crew to remain in a safe location while performing missions. 

One of the key advantages of the Astero ISR is its resistance to modern Russian electronic warfare (EW) systems. As explained by the commander of the special-purpose drone systems unit Typhoon of the Ukrainian National Guard, with the call sign Karat, the drone has an automatic frequency-hopping function in case of jamming attempts by the enemy, which allows the device to maintain communication with the command post and continue its mission.

"When it enters the EW zone, the aircraft detects that it is being jammed and automatically changes frequency, transmitting a signal to the ground stations so they switch to the same frequency," the serviceman said.

Training to operate this drone takes several weeks and is conducted in several stages. First, soldiers train on the basic DARTS model, and then move on to the Astero ISR. Karat emphasizes that compared to other models used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, such as the Leleka-100 or Valkyrie, the Astero demonstrates much better survivability and effectiveness under conditions of active enemy EW use.

Moreover, it is easy to repair.

"Each Astero ISR system comes with a ZIP kit. If the drone, for example, suffers minor damage to its working surfaces, we can use this ZIP kit to repair it and continue carrying out combat missions," the serviceman explained.

Ivan Kyrychevskyi, a military analyst at Defence Express, notes that compared to Western counterparts such as the Puma or Switchblade, the Astero ISR stands out for its resilience and ease of maintenance. 

According to him, some drones are so sensitive that they cannot withstand even minor damage. But in combat conditions, equipment must withstand impacts, shrapnel, and crashes. In the expert’s opinion, the Astero ISR is not perfect, but it is very reliable. 

"Regardless of the conditions in which it operates, this drone is resilient. Of course, setting aside the fact that it is of foreign manufacture, these are exactly the kind of drones we need. And if it were possible to scale up their production at our own defense industry facilities, it would be an even greater advantage," the expert explained.

The supply of drone systems took place as part of International Fund assistance until autumn 2024. Now, it is based on requests from units through their Command structure.

The company has also developed a strike version of a kamikaze drone called the Raptor, which will carry 1.1 kg of explosives and can destroy enemy equipment or fortifications with precise strikes. It is currently intended for use in NATO countries.

Alongside foreign assistance, Ukraine is actively developing its own drone production. As of 2024, more than 500 companies are working in the drone industry, and under the state defense order, up to 6,000 long-range strike drones are planned for production. This is part of the overall strategy for rearmament and innovative transformation of the Armed Forces.

Ukrainian soldiers emphasize: in modern warfare, air superiority often determines the outcome of operations. That is why effective drones adapted to frontline conditions, such as the Astero ISR, are becoming one of the key tools for achieving victory.