At the 2025 Paris Air Show, Parrot, a leading French drone manufacturer, introduced its latest professional micro-UAV: the Parrot Drone Anafi UKR. This new Parrot drone is designed specifically for defense, public safety, and government applications, aiming to address the unique challenges faced in conflict zones and emergency response operations. The unveiling of the Anafi UKR was notable for its focus on resilience, portability, and advanced technology, reflecting the growing importance of micro-UAVs in modern tactical environments.
Key Specifications and Features
The Anafi UKR is a compact quadcopter, weighing under 1 kg, which makes it highly portable and easy to deploy. According to Parrot’s technical specifications, the drone measures 245 x 160 x 116 mm when folded, expanding to 350 x 665 x 116 mm when ready for flight. Its basic mass is 959 grams, with a maximum takeoff weight of 1,450 grams. The drone boasts a flight time of up to 38 minutes using a standard battery, and up to 50 minutes with an extended-life XLR battery, allowing for longer missions. With the XLR battery, the Anafi UKR can achieve a maximum flight range of 40 km and reach speeds of up to 17 m/s horizontally.
The Anafi UKR is also equipped with a dual-sensor camera system, featuring a 35x zoom daylight camera and a thermal imager with a resolution of 640×512 pixels. This enables effective reconnaissance both day and night, as well as the ability to identify human-sized targets at a distance.
Advanced Technology and Resilience
A standout feature of the Anafi UKR is its ability to operate in environments where electronic warfare and GPS jamming are prevalent. The drone uses embedded artificial intelligence (AI), advanced optical navigation, and full offline autonomy, allowing it to function effectively even when satellite navigation signals are blocked or spoofed. This is especially important in battlefield scenarios, where precise positioning is critical and adversaries often attempt to disrupt drone operations.
The Anafi UKR’s communication systems are hardened against interference, utilizing frequency-hopping military radio and encrypted data transmission according to the AES-256 standard. It supports both standard Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity, with a communication range of up to 15 km (extendable to 20 km with a backup channel).
Development and Real-World Testing
According to an article in the National Defense Magazine, the Anafi UKR was developed with direct input from real-world combat experiences in Ukraine. Parrot’s CEO, Henri Seydoux, made multiple trips to Ukraine to assess operational needs and test prototypes under battlefield conditions. This feedback led to features such as enhanced environmental resistance—the drone can operate in temperatures as low as -36°C—and AI software trained to recognize routes covered in snow.
The Anafi UKR is fully operational in GNSS-denied environments and has been tested in live electronic warfare scenarios. It is designed to meet the tactical demands of defense forces, law enforcement, and first responders, offering a high level of cyber-resilience and data sovereignty.
Availability and Impact
Deliveries of the Anafi UKR are ongoing to defense and institutional clients, and the system is now available for order to eligible public safety agencies and government users worldwide. The introduction of the Anafi UKR represents a significant step forward in the development of compact, resilient, and intelligent micro-UAVs. The drone’s launch reflects a broader trend toward integrating battlefield lessons into next-generation surveillance technology. Its advanced features, robust design, and operational flexibility make it a valuable tool for modern defense and public safety missions.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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