The war waged by Ukraine with the help of drones enters a new phase, that of “mother ships”. Boats, aircraft and other platforms are used to transport attack drones and smaller interceptor drones into battle.
From the suicidal boats to the concept of “mother-ship”
Ukraine has begun its unmanned naval warfare campaign by transforming remote-controlled speedboats into improvised weapons intended to strike and destroy Russian warships. The unconventional tactic has worked, shaking a fleet traditionally considered superior.
Russia, however, quickly adapted, forcing Ukraine to find new solutions.
Today, an increasing number of Ukrainian drone boats are being transformed into true “mother ships”. These can release attack drones on enemy positions or launch interceptor drones, contributing to a new type of coastal anti-aircraft defense. This method allows Ukraine to strike or defend from greater distances, from directions that are harder to anticipate, and with systems much cheaper than traditional weaponry.
“These vessels had to do more than just function as simple kamikaze platforms,” explained a unit commander from the Main Directorate of Information of Ukraine (GUR) to Business Insider. “They also had to transport and launch FPV drones, as well as interceptor drones — an integral part of the current frontline reality.”
The appearance of mother-ships marks a fundamental change in the way this type of warfare is conducted. Small drones make possible cheap and easily accessible precision attacks, but remain limited in terms of range, autonomy, resistance to jamming, and operator exposure.
By transforming boats, aircraft, and vehicles into mobile launch platforms, the Ukrainian forces manage to send small systems much deeper into the battlefield, in ways that are hard to predict.
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