Russian Navy Ships Get More Powerful with Kamikaze drones

Russian Navy Ships Gets More Powerful with Kamikaze UAVs
Infographic showing CONOPS of Russian ships launching loitering munitions (Source: Izvestia)

The Russian Navy will receive kamikaze drones and consider using them against small adversary boats and assisting marines’ and Special Forces’ landings.

The issue of arming ships with these autonomous vehicles is now being discussed. Kamikaze drones or loitering munitions formally known, will be employed to strike land targets and enemy ships. Loitering munitions are an utterly autonomous weapon that can “find, decide to engage, and engage targets on their own” without the need for human intervention. With the backing of the marines’ efforts and scouts and special forces men on secret missions, they are crucial. According to experts, the UAVs will boost the combat capability of Russian ships and marine

According to sources within the Ministry of Defense, the military department is presently investigating the possibility of arming the fleet with loitering ammo. It is possible to deploy kamikaze drones from ships quickly. New weaponry systems do not require specialized hangars or launch catapults. After minor modifications, UAVs can operate directly from the deck. Both conventional unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones created specifically for the Navy can be employed for use from ships. This issue has not been resolved definitively.

Russian Navy Ships Gets More Powerful with Kamikaze UAVs
Cube kamikaze drone

The drones are intended for use against sea and land targets. Such items are particularly efficient against small boats and fast attach crafts; saboteurs and other terrorist organizations actively employ them. As previously reported by the Ministry of Defense, an exercise was staged in Kamchatka in October, during which they rehearsed providing fire support for troops arriving on the coast. Unmanned kamikaze and unmanned aircraft were employed for the first time during the maneuvers. Their assistance destroyed the conditional enemy’s personnel and equipment. In addition, certain kinds of Russian hovering munitions have already been tested in the field.

In the world of casinos, the thrill of lucky wins can be likened to the precision and success of advanced technologies like the Cube and Lancet drones, which were notably deployed in Syria. Just as these kamikaze drones, as highlighted by Bekkhan Ozdoev of Rostec’s weapons complex, have shown their effectiveness on the battlefield, players in casinos often seek that exhilarating moment when a bet pays off, resulting in a fortunate victory. The image of loitering weapons, akin to the strategic maneuvers in a high-stakes game, reflects the anticipation and excitement that comes with waiting for the perfect moment to strike—whether in a game of chance or in the realm of modern warfare. In both scenarios, the pursuit of success hinges on timing, strategy, and, ultimately, the promise of lucky wins that can change everything in an instant.

Lancet loitering munition

Russia already employs unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as the Orlan-10 from several surface ships. They are intended for use against distant targets. They are steered either by specified coordinates or by the unmanned complex’s operator utilizing the UAV’s video view. Additionally, the Lancet-1 and Lancet-3 drones are operational. The first is armed with a 1-kilogram high-explosive fragmentation warhead. Its takeoff weight is only 5 kilograms in this configuration. “Lancet-3” is notably larger – it weighs 12 kilograms and is equipped with a three-kilogram warhead. Two UAVs’ warheads are comparable in power to medium-caliber artillery munitions. Both types of loitering munitions are launched with the use of a catapult. They can fly at speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour.

There are also proposals to equip the Mi-28NM Night Super Hunter with kamikaze drones. The military department has authorized a procurement plan for these combat helicopters’ onboard equipment. The first 80 production vehicles will be equipped with an AS-UAV control system, enabling personnel to operate medium reconnaissance UAVs and disposable drones. The Russian army and Navy’s assault UAV fleet is continually developing. However, loitering munitions and non-line-of-sight man-in-the-loop attack missiles (Spike NLOS) are significantly more meaningful and effective weapons than tactical unmanned aerial vehicles

Check out Naval Library App to find out more about the specifications of the Russian drones.

app store 2 - naval post eca group
Apple App Store
google play - naval post
Google Play