Camilla Jessen
Ukrainian soldiers now have a new weapon in the sky.
Ukrainian forces are using a new long-range drone developed in France, as part of a growing partnership between Kyiv and European defense firms.
The MV-25 OSKAR drone, part of the MATARIS line by KNDS France and its partners DELAIR and EOS Technologie, is now operational and has already received positive feedback from Ukraine’s military, writes Ukrainska Pravda.
This unmanned aerial vehicle is designed to strike infantry and light vehicles.
It carries a 550-gram high-explosive warhead and can stay in the air for up to 45 minutes, flying as far as 25 kilometers from its launch point.
The MV-25 OSKAR is easy to set up and launch, with no need for a runway or flat surface.
It also has low radar visibility and is equipped with a data link that resists jamming, allowing it to function without relying on satellite navigation.
Developed in just two years, the drone underwent its first combat tests in June 2024.
Ukrainian troops have already begun using it in active operations, marking a new step in their drone capabilities.
Renault May Join Ukraine’s Drone Industry
Meanwhile, French carmaker Renault is in talks with France’s Ministry of Defense about the possibility of producing drones in Ukraine.
No final agreement has been reached, but Renault is reportedly considering a partnership with a small defense firm to set up manufacturing facilities safely behind the front lines.
If the deal goes through, the drones would likely serve both Ukrainian and French armed forces.