Ukraine’s Armed Forces deploy CATA-type launcher systems from Estonian manufacturer Threod Systems to launch long-range strike drones, the company’s commercial director Ranno Paduri revealed at the DSEI exhibition held 9-12 September.
“Every time you see a long-range drone hitting a target on Russian territory, it’s quite likely that our launcher was used by Ukrainian military,” Paduri said, according to the Defense News.
Ukraine’s Defense Forces have operated CATA launchers since 2022, according to Paduri. The systems provide silent operation and maintain four-minute intervals between launches – a capability he described as crucial for conducting mass drone strikes given the dangerous nature of such operations.
Defense Express said that Threod Systems’ official website lists an even shorter interval of less than three minutes between launches.
Beyond Ukraine, Estonian company Threod Systems supplies CATA launcher systems to multiple countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, according to the report.
The CATA launcher handles strike drones weighing up to 400 kilograms and traveling at speeds up to 55 meters per second. The company emphasizes the system’s operational simplicity, featuring remote control capabilities, two-operator requirements, and one-week training periods.
The launcher system includes a remote control unit that allows operators to maintain distance from the launch site. This configuration reduces personnel exposure during high-risk operations while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Defense Express previously reported that Ukraine will receive a record number of battle-tested THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles from Estonian company Milrem Robotics.