Ukraine conflict: Ukraine deploying indigenously developed SIGINT syst…

Eter is currently deployed with the Armed Forces of Ukraine to detect Russian radio signals. (Mykhailo Fedorov/Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine)

Ukraine has developed and is deploying a signals intelligence (SIGINT) system on the frontline called Eter, the Ukrainian Minister for igital ransformation, Mykhailo Fedorov said on 14 November.

Eter is a radio-electronic intelligence complex developed by Ukraine-based company Falcons and supported by the defence technology cluster Brave1. It comprises three direction finding (DF) systems for the detection of communication signals, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and electronic warfare systems, the company states .

The complex can operate for up to 24 hours in automatic mode, employ correlation-interferometric DF methods, and can detect equipment using frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) techniques, the company detailed. A number of complexes can also be connected to form a large network.

The company deliberately omits the range of the system on its website.

According to Fedorov, Eter is deployed with several separate units of the rmed orces, helping soldiers to “perform combat missions, launch drones, and engage enemy positions”. For example, before deploying a UAV, soldiers can utilise Eter to check for Russian radio signals to determine a safe route for the vehicle.

Eter is mobile and modular, enabling damaged components to be easily replaced, Fedorov added.