Old Deep-Sea Nets from France Become Vital Shield To Counter Russian Drones in Ukraine
Along the port areas of the Breton shoreline, accumulations of old nets stand as a common sight.
The usable duration of deep-sea fishing nets usually lasts between 12-24 months, post-usage they become deteriorated and irreparable.
Currently, this marine-grade mesh, once used to trawl ocean species from the marine bottom, is serving alternative functions for an unexpected target: Russian drones.
Humanitarian Project Repurposes Marine Waste
A coastal assistance group has sent two shipments of nets extending 174 miles to Ukraine to defend troops and residents along the frontline where fighting is fiercest.
The enemy deploys low-cost aerial vehicles fitted with combat payloads, directing them by radio command for spans of up to 15.5 miles.
"Over the last two years, the war has mutated. Initially we barely imagined about drones, but now it's a drone war," explained a humanitarian organizer.
Strategic Application of Fishing Nets
Military personnel use the nets to construct passageways where unmanned aircraft rotors become ensnared. This technique has been compared to web-building predators trapping prey in a mesh.
"The Ukrainians have told us they require specific generic mesh material. They have been sent multiple that are of no use," the coordinator explained.
"The materials we provide 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 force similar to that of a drone."
Growing Uses
Initially utilized by medical personnel safeguarding treatment facilities near the combat zone, the nets are now being used on roads, bridges, the healthcare center gateways.
"It's astonishing that this elementary solution proves so effective," commented the charity president.
"We face no lack of fishing nets in this region. It creates difficulty to know how to dispose of them as various companies that recycle them have ceased operations."
Logistical Challenges
The aid association was created after expatriate citizens contacted the founders requesting help regarding essential provisions and healthcare materials for Ukraine.
Twenty volunteers have transported two truck shipments of humanitarian assistance 2,300 kilometers to the Polish-Ukrainian frontier.
"Upon discovering that Ukraine sought protective gear, the fishing community responded immediately," stated the organization leader.
Aerial Combat Development
The enemy utilizes first-person view drones similar to those on the consumer sector that can be guided by wireless command and are then loaded with explosives.
Enemy operators with instant visual data direct them to their objectives. In various locations, Ukrainian forces report that all activity ceases without capturing the focus of clusters of "lethal" kamikaze drones.
Protective Strategies
The trawling material are suspended from structures to form protective passageways or used to cover fortifications and transport.
Friendly aerial vehicles are also equipped with sections of mesh to deploy against hostile aircraft.
During summer months, Ukraine was facing more than five hundred unmanned aircraft per day.
International Support
Substantial quantities of discarded marine material have also been donated by fishermen in Nordic countries.
An ex-marine industry representative commented that regional fishermen are particularly willing to assist the military campaign.
"They are proud to know their former gear is going to assist in protection," he told reporters.
Financial Challenges
The association currently lacks the financial resources to send more supplies this year and discussions were underway for Ukraine to send lorries to retrieve the gear.
"We plan to support obtain the gear and prepare them but we are without the budget to continue organizing transport ourselves," explained the humanitarian coordinator.
Practical Restrictions
A Ukrainian military spokesperson explained that protective mesh corridors were being installed across the Donetsk region, about 75 percent of which is now described as captured and administered by opposition military.
She commented that enemy drone pilots were continuously developing ways to penetrate the mesh.
"Mesh does not represent a universal remedy. They are just a particular aspect of safeguarding from drones," she emphasized.
An ex-agricultural business owner expressed that the people he interacted with were touched by the help from maritime regions.
"The reality that those in the coastal economy the far region of Europe are providing material to support their defensive measures has caused emotional reactions to their eyes," he finished.