Electronic Warfare Systems to Dominate Drone Defense by 2026, Expert Predicts.

Forecast for 2026: The Rise of Electronic Warfare Support Systems

According to Novyny.live: Yaroslav Filimonov, CEO of Kvertus, predicts that 2026 will be the year of Electronic Warfare Support (EWS) systems in countering drones. He notes that by 2025, the norm on the front lines had become 150-200 drones per day, with enemy activity continuing to increase. This surge necessitates the adaptation and development of new technologies to ensure effective protection. The evolution of drone warfare is rapidly outpacing traditional defensive measures.

The Battlefield Reality in 2025

The situation on the front in 2025 shows a significant increase in drone usage. Yaroslav Filimonov points out that new, more resilient firmware is appearing, making drones harder to counter with standard electronic warfare (EW). Drone operating frequencies are shifting, and the effective range of 'white noise' EW systems is critically shrinking, forcing militaries to adopt new approaches to counter unmanned threats.

Filimonov also stresses the importance of systematic and effective protection, which can be provided by integrated EWS complexes. He emphasizes that changing the operational tempo is critical. Previously, units often reacted to enemy actions that had already occurred. Now, the focus is shifting to pre-empting threats, requiring systems capable of detecting drones earlier and acting with greater precision.

In the context of drone countermeasures, Filimonov also comments on new technologies, including the use of tethered drones. While cables save them from signal jamming, they add certain risks and complicate maneuvers in urban environments. With 2026 forecast as a year of growing demand for EWS complexes, it is vital to account for these changes in combat strategies.

Therefore, 2026 could become a pivotal year for the development of new anti-drone technologies, opening new possibilities for frontline defense.

Yaroslav Filimonov

Amid the growing threat from unmanned systems, Yaroslav Filimonov's forecast regarding the development of EWS complexes highlights the crucial need for military strategies to adapt to new combat realities. The increasing number of drones on the battlefield demands not only new technologies but also a shift in approaches to managing and responding to threats. Deploying innovative systems could significantly enhance defensive effectiveness, which is critically important in modern conflicts.