Old Deep-Sea Nets from France Transform into Crucial Defense To Counter Enemy Drones in Ukraine
Along the port areas of the Breton shoreline, piles of discarded fishing nets stand as a common sight.
The operational period of deep-sea fishing nets usually lasts between one to two years, following this period they become worn and beyond repair.
Currently, this marine-grade mesh, originally designed for harvesting deep-sea fish from the sea bed, is serving alternative functions for another type of catch: hostile aerial vehicles.
Humanitarian Project Converts Discarded Gear
A Breton charity has sent two consignments of nets extending 280km to the conflict zone to defend troops and residents along the combat zone where fighting is fiercest.
Russian forces use inexpensive unmanned aircraft armed with explosives, controlling them by remote control for ranges of up to 25 kilometers.
"Since the conflict began, the war has evolved. Previously we never considered about drones, but now it's a unmanned vehicle battle," stated a aid distribution manager.
Tactical Use of Trawling Gear
Ukrainian forces use the nets to create passageways where aerial vehicle blades become entangled. This approach has been compared to spiders catching flies in a net.
"Our contacts have informed us they require specific generic mesh material. They have been sent multiple that are ineffective," the organizer continued.
"The nets we are sending are made of horse hair and used for deep-sea fishing to catch powerful sea creatures which are exceptionally strong and strike the mesh with a power equivalent to that of a drone."
Expanding Applications
Originally employed by doctors protecting medical camps near the combat zone, the nets are now implemented on transport routes, crossings, the healthcare center gateways.
"It's astonishing that this elementary solution proves so effective," commented the organization leader.
"We don't have shortage of marine gear in this region. It presents a challenge to know what to do with them as various companies that repurpose the gear have shut down."
Operational Difficulties
The aid association was established after community members contacted the organizers requesting support for clothing, food and medical supplies for Ukraine.
Twenty volunteers have transported two vehicle loads of aid 2,300km to Ukraine's border with Poland.
"When we learned that Ukraine sought protective gear, the fishing community responded immediately," commented the charity director.
Drone Warfare Evolution
Russian forces employ FPV unmanned aircraft comparable to those on the retail industry that can be piloted by remote radio control and are then packed with detonation devices.
Russian pilots with real-time video feeds direct them to their targets. In certain regions, military personnel report that no movement occurs without attracting the attention of groups of "lethal" suicide aircraft.
Protective Strategies
The trawling material are extended across supports to form protective passageways or used to protect fortifications and transport.
Defense unmanned aircraft are also fitted with fragments of material to deploy against opposition vehicles.
In recent periods, Ukraine was confronting more than 500 drones per day.
Global Aid
Multiple tons of old nets have also been provided by fishermen in Sweden and Denmark.
An ex-marine industry representative declared that regional fishermen are particularly willing to help the war effort.
"They experience satisfaction to know their discarded equipment is going to help save lives," he informed media.
Financial Constraints
The charity has exhausted the funds to transport further gear this year and conversations are progressing for Ukraine to dispatch vehicles to pick up the nets.
"We shall assist acquire the material and load them but we are without the budget to continue organizing transport ourselves," commented the charity spokesperson.
Practical Restrictions
An armed services communicator explained that defensive netting systems were being established across the eastern territory, about 75 percent of which is now described as occupied and controlled by enemy troops.
She commented that opposition vehicle controllers were progressively discovering ways to penetrate the mesh.
"Mesh does not represent a complete solution. They are just a single component of protection against drones," she emphasized.
A retired market garden trader shared that the individuals he encountered were moved by the help from maritime regions.
"The fact that those in the fishing industry the far region of Europe are dispatching gear to assist their protection efforts has brought a few tears to their eyes," he concluded.