Ukrainian Airbus H125 Directs Mi-8 to Destroy Shahed Drone

18 December, 2024 Airbus H125 helicopter of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. November 2021. Photo: Oleksiy Trenin

The Ukrainian military successfully used helicopters to shoot down Russian Shahed one-way drones. A video of the Mi-8's combat performance was shared on the Sunflower Telegram channel, which is affiliated with Ukrainian aviation. An Airbus H125 helicopter was also used to track the drone's route.

The helicopters are equipped with satellite transmitters, digital communication systems, specialized aircraft searchlights and the Flir electronic optical system. After receiving information about the air target from ground-based radars, the pair heads to the area. Once in the sky, the Airbus H125 detects the target with the help of electro-optical system, is escorted to a safe area together with the Mi-8, and then the Mi-8 shoots it down with its onboard weapons.

It is impossible to do this immediately with the H125 because it does not have any weapons in the configuration and certification that Ukraine has received. This resulted in the downing of the Shahed attack drone and subsequent detonation in the field.