Rwanda has become the latest African country to acquire the SKYctrl and FIELDctrl anti-drone systems from the Polish company Advanced Protection Systems (APS). The systems are designed to detect, track and neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that pose a threat to the security and sovereignty of the country.
The SKYctrl system is a comprehensive solution that combines 3D radars, sensors, effectors and a command and control (C2) application to monitor the airspace and counter drones. The system is modular and configurable, allowing the user to select the best components for the specific needs and type of the protected object. The system can operate in all weather conditions and has a fully integrated and automated jammer to disrupt the communication and navigation of the drones.
The FIELDctrl system is a 3D radar that is the core of the SKYctrl system. It is developed from scratch by APS and uses advanced algorithms to detect, track and classify drones. The radar can differentiate between birds and drones, track multiple targets simultaneously, report the exact 3D position of the object in real time, and detect moving single and multiple drones and swarms. The radar also uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve its performance and accuracy.
The SKYctrl and FIELDctrl systems have been tested and approved by the British government organization CPNI (Center for the Protection of National Infrastructure) and have been sold to various customers around the world, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The systems are used by uniformed services, the army and critical infrastructure to protect against drone attacks.
Rwanda is not the first African country to acquire the Polish anti-drone systems. In April 2022, APS partnered with the Ivory Coast Special Forces to supply them with the FIELDctrl 3D MIMO radars. The radars are used to enhance the situational awareness and operational capabilities of the Ivorian forces.
APS is a Polish company that was founded in 2015 and is a world leader in the field of anti-drone systems technology. The company is based in Gdynia and has a research and development center in Warsaw. The company’s founder and CEO, Radosław Piesiewicz, said that the reason behind their success is the fact that they own the technology one hundred percent and developed it themselves. He also said that they are a partner of the Polish Armament Agency and are proud to offer a Polish product to the global market.
The acquisition of the SKYctrl and FIELDctrl systems by Rwanda demonstrates the growing demand and recognition of anti-drone systems in the African arena. It also shows the commitment of Rwanda to strengthen its defense capabilities and protect its territory and people from drone threats.
