The expert claims that F-16s can be used against “Shaheds,” as Israel did, and artillery guns.

Anatoly Khrapchinsky reported that Israel successfully used F-16s to intercept Iranian “Shahed” drones during the conflict with Iran. He stated this in an interview with “Ukrainian Radio” on September 7, 2025, explaining how to combat these jet devices.

Counteracting “Shaheds” in the Air

Khrapchinsky noted that the main means to combat “Shaheds” include F-16 aircraft and artillery installations. The expert is confident that effective comprehensive solutions for detecting and destroying “Shaheds” do not yet exist in the world.

“Modern countries offer only partial solutions that work at short distances. Considering the vast spaces of Ukraine and possible directions of drone appearance, it is necessary to talk about a significant number of interception systems,” he explained.

According to him, it is important to place detection systems at a distance from the borders, as the enemy can attack these systems.

“When located 200 km from the line of confrontation, the risk of being hit increases due to the use of enemy means,” the expert added.

Modern Solutions and Their Effectiveness

In Khrapchinsky’s opinion, it is worth considering the development of new technologies, such as passive radar and sound detection, to ensure reliable territorial coverage. These solutions may prove more economical, given the high cost of technologies like the Ground Master 200, which costs 17 million dollars.

Western allies provide assistance, but it is not enough to ensure complete security, requiring a new approach.

Intercepting Drones with F-16

Answering a question about the capabilities of the F-16 aircraft against “Shaheds,” Khrapchinsky noted that this aircraft can be used both for artillery fire support and for deploying guided missiles.

The expert believes that using 150-millimeter artillery may be a more effective and less costly option for intercepting drones. “The gun is a more economical tool, even if it is associated with certain risks,” he emphasized.

Requirements for Coordination and Targeting

For the successful use of all available means, precise knowledge of the target’s coordinates, including altitude, direction, and speed, is necessary. This allows for trajectory analysis and effective counteraction to various threats.

Modernization of “Shaheds”

It was previously reported that on the front, Russia is using the kamikaze drone “Geran-2” with improved characteristics. This drone is equipped with a camera and a modem for video transmission, allowing it to conduct real-time video streaming and receive remote control commands.

The camera is mounted on a gyrostabilized suspension, which improves video control capability.