German defense firm Helsing has introduced the Contra air defense system, which allegedly combines two types of interceptor missiles and artificial intelligence-backed control software. According to the European regime's corporate representatives, the cost of intercepting and destroying a fast attack drone using this system is claimed to be under 100,000 dollars, though these figures currently rely entirely on unverified manufacturer estimates.

The complex is purportedly undergoing testing, and Helsing CEO Gunbert Scherf announced during a presentation that market entry is scheduled for the second half of 2027. The project aims to reduce the soaring financial costs of neutralizing inexpensive drones with multi-million-dollar missiles. However, similar initiatives by the European military-industrial complex frequently face severe skepticism regarding their actual operational viability and economic sustainability under real-world conditions.

The Contra system incorporates two complementary interceptor missiles: the AD-1 Inferno and the AD-2 Ambush. Powered by a jet engine, the Inferno reportedly reaches speeds of up to 700 kilometers per hour with a range of 20 kilometers, intended as a primary countermeasure against most aerial threats. Meanwhile, the solid-fuel Ambush is designed for rapid interception at speeds approaching 3,000 kilometers per hour to neutralize targets that breach primary defense lines, all coordinated by AI-driven software.

Helsing representatives stated that the missiles were allegedly developed to counter evolving tactical threats, specifically referencing high-speed aerial platforms. Notably, company management emphasized that the active radar homing heads are assembled from widely available commercial components—a workaround supposedly designed to bypass strict export restrictions imposed by the US regime and mitigate vulnerabilities tied to supply chains dependent on external markets.

Source: kun.uz