Kongsberg develops new drone hunter vehicle for Ukraine

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has unveiled a new counter-drone combat vehicle being prepared for Ukraine, combining the Ukrainian-made Inguar-3 armored vehicle with the Norwegian company’s latest counter-UAS technology.

The vehicle was presented during a visit to Norway by a Polish delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. People familiar with the project at Kongsberg said the platform is being developed specifically for Ukraine with donor funding and is nearing transfer after completing its first round of tests.

At the heart of the vehicle is Kongsberg’s CROWS C-UAS Kit, a mobile system built to detect and engage hostile Shahed-type drones and, in some cases, cruise missiles. Mounted on the Inguar-3, the package combines radar sensors with a remotely operated weapon module placed on a raising mast, giving the crew a better field of view and allowing the system to track threats flying at low altitude.

That elevated mast is a practical feature for the kind of battlefield Ukraine now faces. Small drones often approach close to the ground, using terrain, buildings, and tree lines for cover. By lifting the sensors and weapon station above the vehicle, operators gain more time to detect and respond to incoming threats.

Kongsberg said the vehicle can use 70mm laser-guided rockets as part of its interception suite. These rockets offer a direct way to engage airborne targets, including drones and certain missile threats, without relying solely on larger and more expensive air defense missiles. For a battlefield where low-cost drones are used in large numbers, that kind of layered defense has become increasingly important.

The choice of the Inguar-3 chassis also highlights the growing role of Ukraine’s domestic defense industry. Rather than building the platform entirely abroad, the project pairs a Ukrainian armored vehicle with Western detection and engagement technology. That approach allows the system to combine local manufacturing with NATO-standard counter-drone capabilities.

A Norwegian source said the platform has already gone through its first tests and is expected to be delivered to Ukraine soon. While no specific delivery date was disclosed, the fact that testing has already taken place suggests the vehicle is moving quickly toward operational use.

A vehicle like this is built for that role. Unlike stationary systems, it can travel with combat formations, protect artillery positions, shield logistics convoys, and help defend command posts from low-flying drone attacks. The armored platform also improves survivability for the crew in contested areas.

Radar is another key part of the system. Visual spotting alone is often not enough, especially at night or in poor weather, when many drones are most effective. The radar gives operators an earlier warning, while the remotely controlled weapon system allows them to engage threats without exposing the crew.

Although Kongsberg did not disclose how many vehicles may ultimately be supplied, the project appears to have moved beyond the concept phase. With early testing complete and transfer expected soon, the platform is poised to become part of Ukraine’s growing mobile counter-drone network.