The war in Ukraine has seen the increasingly widespread use of drones by several countries to demonstrate their unmanned aircraft capabilities. While Turkish drones initially garnered the most attention, other models have joined the scene, such as the low-cost, disposable UAV from Australia-based SYPAQ Systems. The Department of Defense invested in the company, enabling the manufacture of Corvo Precision Payload Delivery System (PPDS) drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The drones are made of cardboard and designed for the delivery of supplies and equipment to areas that traditional logistics capabilities cannot reach. In addition, they have been adapted for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. The drones are delivered in flat sheets that are assembled to form the UAV and can take off, fly up to 120 km, and land on their own. The PPDS is manufactured in Melbourne using components from SYPAQ’s Australian supply chain.
Around 100 Australian drones are delivered each month, allowing for low production costs. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have already used more than 60 on the front line, launching them manually or with a catapult. In addition to delivering supplies, they can also perform reconnaissance flights and drop small explosive devices. These drones are designed to operate in harsh conditions and have been coated with wax to prevent the airframe from collapsing and falling during rain.
In February, Australia pledged to provide Ukraine with $33 million worth of unmanned aerial systems, showing the increasing role of drones in warfare conflicts.