The Finnish firm “Insta” has developed a new drone named Steel Eagle, equipped with high-explosive ammunition.
Reports suggest that the company might begin supplying these drones to Ukraine, potentially filling a gap in the nation’s artillery capabilities.
In a recent interview with Defense News Weekly, Tori Lehtoranta, the Defense Division Executive at Insta, remarked, “The interest in [the drone] is not only in Finland.”
The publication noted that the Finnish-made drone could address Kyiv‘s technological needs to counter large numbers of infantry in open terrains, especially during ammunition shortages.
A statement released on the company’s official website mentioned that the Steel Eagle merges unmanned technology with a patented explosive device.
According to Defense News, the drone can carry roughly 3,000 shrapnels, affecting an area equivalent to one-third of a football field.
Lehtoranta also mentioned that the drone can be programmed to land before it detonates directly.
In the same vein, the UK’s Ministry of Defence announced that it would deliver “tens of thousands” of artillery shells to Ukraine within this year, according to Reuters.
British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps stated that the country demonstrated the UK’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine, providing further military support, including a pledge to supply tens of thousands of additional artillery shells to enable Ukraine to defend itself.
In a related context, earlier this month, Shapps confirmed previous reports of the destruction of the UK’s first “Challenger 2” tank in the Special Operations Area.
The official further stated that London has no plans to send a new tank to Ukraine to replace the one destroyed earlier as a result of Russian artillery shelling.