Ukraine has announced the development of a radio technology that is resistant to Russian jamming. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who is also the Minister for Digital Transformation, stated that the Himera radio is a unique technology that can continue to function despite enemy electronic warfare. He added that the Russians cannot block the radio's signals or decrypt them. The Himera radio can also be integrated into a situational awareness system or used as a GPS tracker for soldier evacuation.
Russia's electronic warfare capabilities have been a challenge for Ukraine throughout the war. It has been reported that Russia has been able to intercept and decrypt Ukrainian walkie-talkie systems, allowing them to pre-emptively respond to radioed communications about Ukrainian attacks. In response, a team of Ukrainian engineers showcased the Himera radio at an expo in London in September. The device claims to have a low probability of detection and interception, high data encryption, and protection against communication jamming.
However, the effectiveness of the Himera radio has not been independently verified, and Insider was unable to confirm its reliability. The device is said to have a battery charge that lasts up to four days, and according to reports, Ukrainian soldiers are already using them on the front lines.
This development is significant for Ukraine as it aims to counter Russian electronic warfare tactics. It remains to be seen how effective the Himera radio will be in practice, but if it lives up to its claims, it could be a game-changer for Ukrainian communications and missile guidance. The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been highly dependent on electronic warfare, and Ukraine's ability to resist Russian jamming could potentially shift the balance of power. However, further independent testing and verification are needed to determine the true capabilities of the Himera radio.