How many drones has Merops shot down?
Per the DEPLOY registry, the Merops Interceptor has downed over 4,000 Russian Shahed drones in Ukraine since mid-2024. Merops is an AI-enabled counter-drone system from Perennial Autonomy, the California company launched by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
Key facts
- Form factor
- aerial
- Maturity
- commercial
- Verified deployments
- 3
- Maker
- Perennial Autonomy
The number on record
Per the Merops registry record, the Merops Interceptor has downed over 4,000 Russian Shahed drones in Ukraine since mid-2024. That figure is what puts Merops among the most active counter-drone systems DEPLOY tracks.
What Merops is
Merops is an AI-enabled interceptor drone from Perennial Autonomy, a California defense startup founded in 2023 and launched by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt (originally Project Eagle, formerly White Stork). Its purpose is to intercept and destroy incoming drones, particularly the Shahed-type loitering munitions used against Ukraine.
Where it operates
DEPLOY records three verified deployments: Ukraine's combat zones, U.S. Central Command in the Middle East, and Lithuania. Perennial's systems are also used by Ukrainian, Polish, and Lithuanian militaries. The registry classes Merops at the commercial maturity stage.
A note on precision: 4,000-plus is the interception count on the registry, drawn from primary sourcing. As with any active-conflict figure, it reflects what is verified to date and grows over time.
For the full picture, see What is the Merops Interceptor?.
Frequently asked
How many drones has Merops shot down?
Over 4,000 Russian Shahed drones in Ukraine since mid-2024, per the DEPLOY registry.
Is Merops autonomous?
Merops is described on the registry as an AI-enabled counter-drone system. DEPLOY does not record a detailed autonomy posture beyond that, so treat specific claims about fully autonomous engagement as claimed until sourced.
Where it is deployed
3 verified deployments on the registry for the Merops Interceptor. Click any marker to open its primary-source record.
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