2024-02-20 21:06:14
More unmanned missiles are being used in the Ukraine war than in any other conflict before. Even the US Army canceled its billion-dollar FARA attack helicopter program because of the experience. However, the systems used in Ukraine are not always high-tech flying robots. Quite the opposite: simple drones equipped only with a camera are being used en masse. These so-called first-person view devices (FPV) have proven particularly valuable for reconnaissance of enemy positions. For this reason, Latvia has launched a “drone coalition” to deliver a total of one million drones to Ukraine.
© Ukrainian Ministry of Defense
Both Ukraine and Russia are increasingly relying on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Germany involved
The country is leading the initiative together with Great Britain and is investing ten million euros itself. “Drone technology has a huge impact on military strategies and tactical control. Drones are an essential part of Ukraine’s capabilities – they are efficient for both reconnaissance and attack on enemy targets. The coalition will ensure efficient and rapid delivery of drones to Ukraine,” said Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds. In addition to Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Sweden also want to take part in the initiative. At the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group responsible for supporting Ukraine on February 14th at NATO headquarters in Brussels, they signed a corresponding declaration of intent. According to the British Defense Secretary, most of them are FPV drones. “We are committing £200 million to drone manufacturing, making us Ukraine’s largest drone supplier,” said Grant Shapps.
© Sergii Zysko via GettyImages
The FPV drones are not just used for reconnaissance.
Even simple drones are armed
According to Mykhailo Fedorov’s statements at the Munich Security Conference, Ukraine manufactured 300,000 drones last year. As the Ukrainian Minister for Digital Transformation explained, the Ukrainian armed forces have 60 drone attack units and have already destroyed more than 14,000 Russian military objects. Even simple FPV systems often do not fly unarmed. Photos and videos show the use of hand grenades and mines.
© Rostec
In addition to assault rifles, Kalashnikov is now also building unmanned missiles.
Kalashnikov drones
Russia also relies heavily on the use of unmanned aircraft. The research and production association for unmanned systems of the Kalashnikov Group in Izhsk plans to increase drone production tenfold this year. At least that is what Kalashnikov President Alan Luzhnikov promised Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during his visit. To this end, the factory has built a new production hall and created 360 additional jobs. Kalashnikov produces, among other things, the KUB-BLA, which is armed with an explosive device.
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