MOSCOW – Russia is developing a kamikaze drone-based system for the protection of its maritime borders, with some of its elements having already passed the tests, a defence industry source told Sputnik.
“It is a technology for protecting Russia’s maritime borders from intruding vessels, including military ones. The system will include reconnaissance drones as well as several types of loitering munition,” the source said, adding that the suicide drones are supposed to be launched from both shore and ships.
According to the source, separate elements of the systems, including kamikaze drone launchers for small-sized vessels, have already passed their tests.
The source noted that the system is low-cost as loitering munition is several times cheaper than anti-ship missiles. At the same time, mass deployment of kamikaze drones can put frigates or destroyers out of commission by damaging their surveillance, control, and weapons systems.
In October, Moscow said that United States destroyer Chafee had approached Russia’s territorial waters and “attempted to cross the state border” in the Sea of Japan. Meanwhile, United Kingdom destroyer Defender is said to have crossed into Russian waters in the Black Sea in June. – Bernama, November 2, 2021
