Source: mk.ru
On December 19, the Russia-24 TV aired a report documenting recent loitering munition strikes in Syria as well as combat drones tests.
The loitering munition strikes shown in the report all targeted militants of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib. Lancet-1 and 3 loitering munitions, which were developed by the ZALA Aero Group, were used.
One of the strikes killed a prominent tank-hunter Maher Kojak, also known as “Maher Tow” for his experience in using US-made TOW anti-tank guided missiles.
Second half of the video of SSO specialists employing Lancet loitering munitions in Syria. 26/https://t.co/UqbhaVfoOc pic.twitter.com/0A7gwbp4TS
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) December 19, 2021
The report also included footage of a recent test in which a Kronshtadt Orion combat drone shot down an aerial target with a new copy of the world-renowned Kornet-D missile system dubbed X-BPLA.
In two other recent tests, a Forpost-R drone dropped a KAB-20 light-weight guided bomb and a MDP-03 combat helicopter drone fired an S-8L laser-guided rocket.
This week’s Vesti Nedli also showed a Forpost (presumably Forpost-R) UCAV dropping a munition. 24/https://t.co/UqbhaVfoOc pic.twitter.com/C8YcLKre4R
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) December 19, 2021
Also footage of a MDP-03 helicopter UAV developed by NPP Strela and Kalashnikov launching rockets. When it was presented at Army 2021, it was shown armed with S-8L 80mm guided missile derived from S-8 rockets. 27/https://t.co/tDh9ZqQdbFhttps://t.co/BKGuAlIH5e pic.twitter.com/4PU3h3fIOZ
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) December 19, 2021
Never-before-seen footage showing a Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B stealth combat drone dropping a FAB-500 bomb during a recent test were also included in the report.
Looks like a FAB-500 high-explosive aerial bomb. 2/ pic.twitter.com/1d90DOYmFL
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) December 19, 2021
Overall, the report highlights the recent developments in Russia’s large drone program. In the last few years, the Russian military industrial complex made many breakthroughs related to the design and production of drones.
Russia is not only looking to build a large fleet of drones, but also to export these advanced combat systems to its allies around the world.
