Ukraine receives 100 lethal drones known as Switchblades from the U.S.

• An arms package of 100 Switchblade killer drones was included in the U.S. for Ukraine.
• Ukraine requested the equipment as it fights off a Russian invasion.
• President Joe Biden approved a massive defense aid package earlier this month.

Officials confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. included 100 killer drones in a massive weapons package for Ukraine, which President Joe Biden approved earlier this month.

The "kamikaze drones" requested by Kyiv are being used in its defense against Russian invasion, as stated by Celeste Wallander, the assistant secretary of Defense for international security affairs.

Wallander stated in testimony before the House Armed Services Committee that we have committed 100 Switchblade tactical unmanned aerial systems to be delivered in the most recent package of presidential drawdown.

She stated that they had heard the Ukrainians' request and took it very seriously.

Last week, John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman, informed reporters that the drones would be arriving in Ukraine shortly. He, however, refused to provide any additional details.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested additional military equipment from U.S. lawmakers, which led to the decision to arm Ukraine with Switchblade killer drones.

The use of Switchblades in the fight in Ukraine could represent a significant milestone in the employment of the weapons in combat, given the uncertainty surrounding how frequently the U.S. military has utilized the lethal drones in battle.

The U.S.-based firm that produces the weapon refused to provide a comment on the arms transfer.

‘Kamikaze drones’

The U.S. deployed either the Switchblade 300 or the 600 to Ukraine, but it was not immediately clear which version was used.

The 300 variant is a compact weapon that can target small areas. It is lightweight and can be carried in a rucksack, with a range of 10 miles.

The 600 version of the weapon is designed to destroy tanks and other armored vehicles. It weighs slightly more than 120 pounds and has a range of over 40 miles.

The weapons are equipped with cameras, navigation systems, and guided explosives, and can be programmed to automatically strike targets that are miles away or can loiter above a target until engaged by an operator to strike.

The 300 and 600 weapons system is destroyed after striking the desired target. Each Switchblade is a single-use or a “kamikaze” drone.

The Switchblade 300 is estimated to cost as little as $6,000, making it cheaper than firing a Hellfire missile from a General Atomics’ MQ-9 Reaper drone.