Following their codification by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Ukrainian Aerobavovna airship systems were added to the Brave1 Market and DOT-Chain Defense platforms, opening up the possibility for Defense Forces units to make direct purchases through the state infrastructure.
The manufacturer, Aerobavovna, shared this information with Militarnyi.
Significantly, the first sale of the system through the procurement system under the “Army of Drones.Bonus” program took place within the first hour after the product appeared on the platform.
This is Ukraine’s first mass-produced product in the military airship systems segment to undergo official codification and receive a NATO stock number.
Codification means the product’s inclusion in the Ministry of Defense’s catalog of supply items, allowing the military to procure equipment through a regulated procedure without additional bureaucratic approvals.
Through Brave1 Market, the systems became available for purchase using eBals, while DOT-Chain Defence allows combat units to independently select the necessary systems, with the Defense Procurement Agency handling the organizational support for the contract.
The company’s flagship product is the AB12TC — a tactical-level tethered aerostat system designed to lift payloads to altitudes ranging from 100 to 700 meters, with the capability for continuous operation for up to 72 hours.
AB12TC specifications
- Operating altitude: 100–700 m
- Operational endurance in field conditions: up to 72 hours
- Payload: up to 5.66 kg
- Filling type: helium
- Application format: tethered balloon
The system can carry digital and analog communication relays, signal transmission systems for FPV drones and ground-based robotic systems, as well as electronic warfare equipment, electronic intelligence systems, spoofing devices, optoelectronic sensors, and even radar systems.
In essence, this is a relatively inexpensive platform for establishing elevated communications or deploying surveillance and electronic warfare assets over the battlefield without using scarce unmanned aerial vehicles.
According to the manufacturer, more than 50 aerostat systems have already been delivered to units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Special Operations Forces, and the National Guard, where they have undergone combat testing.
At the same time, the company is preparing to certify heavier models with payloads of 10 kg and 25 kg, designed for more powerful relay nodes and multi-sensor electronic warfare and reconnaissance systems.
Earlier the American company Pravo Ventures invested in the Ukrainian balloon manufacturer Aerobavovna.
