The Ukrainian army is testing the OSKAR MV-25 kamikaze drone delivered by France, a lightweight, modular system designed to strike infantry and light vehicles.

The Ukrainian army has integrated the OSKAR MV-25 kamikaze drone into its front-line units. This system, developed by KNDS France in partnership with DELAIR and EOS Technologie, is part of the MATARIS family. It was designed to neutralize infantry and lightly armored vehicles in constrained operational environments. The OSKAR is equipped with a 550-gram explosive payload, has an endurance of 45 minutes and an operational range of 25 kilometers. It can fly without a GPS signal thanks to a jam-resistant control link. This new weapon illustrates the rapid integration of modular Western solutions into the Ukrainian arsenal, with a particular focus on logistical simplicity, radar discretion, and compatibility with terrain constraints.

A tactical drone designed for close combat

The MV-25 OSKAR is a loitering munition kamikaze drone developed in just two years by French manufacturers KNDS France, DELAIR, and EOS Technologie. It is part of a new generation of single-use, remote-controlled munitions designed to meet the specific needs of high-intensity ground warfare, such as that currently taking place in Ukraine. Unlike heavier systems such as MALE drones or the Switchblade 600 munitions supplied by the United States, the OSKAR is positioned in a lightweight, mobile and inexpensive segment.

The OSKAR is designed for short, targeted strikes on unarmored vehicles, firing positions, or infantry concentrations. It carries a 550-gram fragmentation warhead capable of neutralizing a utility vehicle or a fortified trench. Its 25-kilometer range and 45-minute endurance allow for medium-range operations, with observation and target selection times compatible with deep harassment tactics.

The drone weighs less than 10 kg, making it transportable by a single operator. It can be launched manually or from a small catapult rail. No heavy equipment or runway is required, allowing for rapid deployment from a makeshift position or a partially destroyed building. This feature makes it particularly suitable for urban or semi-rural areas, where mobility and stealth are priorities.

The OSKAR uses an encrypted and jam-resistant communication system, compatible with electronic warfare environments where GPS is regularly disabled or jammed by Russian forces. This capability gives it a decisive advantage over models that are more dependent on satellites or GNSS signals.

An industrial response to trench warfare and Russian jamming

The development of the OSKAR drone comes at a time when Ukraine is seeking to renew its arsenal of light drones, which are often neutralized by Russian electronic countermeasures. Intensified jamming in areas such as Donetsk and Kherson is forcing Ukrainian forces to resort to drones that are less vulnerable to GPS signals or radar detection.

Unlike civilian DJI quadcopters, which were widely used in the early stages of the war but have been rendered obsolete by enemy electronic warfare capabilities, the MV-25 OSKAR offers a more robust modular architecture. It uses a protected direct link, and its reduced radar signature makes it more difficult to detect. Its moderate speed, combined with a low profile, makes it less vulnerable to short-range anti-aircraft fire.

The drone was tested in June 2024 by several Ukrainian units, mainly in the south of the country, with positive results. According to feedback from operators, the OSKAR demonstrated flight stability and guidance reliability under conditions of heavy electromagnetic interference.

The operational integration of these drones allows Ukraine to maintain an offensive capability on static fronts, where trench lines are only a few hundred meters apart. The OSKAR can be launched without revealing the shooter’s position, unlike a mortar or cannon, while offering much greater accuracy.

This approach is part of a doctrinal shift toward surgical strikes at reduced cost, minimizing human casualties and risks to operators. The estimated cost of an OSKAR remains confidential, but according to market standards, it could be less than $20,000 per unit, a fraction of the cost of a guided anti-tank missile.

Franco-Ukrainian cooperation and future industrial prospects

The OSKAR program illustrates accelerated collaboration between French manufacturers and the Ukrainian military, in a diplomatic context where Paris is seeking to strengthen its strategic position in Eastern Europe. The speed of the development cycle, from design to operational use in less than two years, demonstrates a responsiveness rarely seen in the field of conventional weapons.

This initiative could also mark a partial relocation of production to Ukraine. Car manufacturer Renault is currently in talks with the French Ministry of the Armed Forces to set up assembly lines in Ukraine, in areas far from the front line. This decision is aimed at reducing logistics times, strengthening Ukraine’s industrial independence, and creating a modular production capacity that can also be used by the French army.

This type of public-private partnership could give rise to a light air defense ecosystem centered on drones, integrating sensors, onboard AI, and anti-jamming devices. The OSKAR model could evolve into long-range, modular-payload, or autonomous optical guidance versions.

At a time when European armies are reevaluating their engagement doctrines, the use of OSKAR offers an example of a system that meets three essential criteria: mobility, lethality, and electronic resilience. Its deployment in the field also provides French industry with a rare opportunity to observe the effectiveness of its products in real time on a high-intensity battlefield.

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