Explosive-laden first-person view (FPV) drones are playing a critical role for both sides in the conflict in Ukraine, filling a gap left by shortages of artillery and precision-guided weapons.
But Moscow is quickly gaining an advantage over Kiev, increasing production of an increasingly effective weapon of war.
FPV drones are equipped with a camera that wirelessly transmits video to a headset, allowing soldiers to remotely locate targets with high accuracy. Footage of such drone strikes is some of the most unusual footage of the conflict to date, including one last week that reportedly showed an FPV tracking Russian vehicles on the front lines.
They are fast, portable and relatively inexpensive to produce. It is reported that they can cost several hundred pounds, but despite the low price, they can carry nuclear warheads capable of destroying millions of tanks.
Ukrainian Minister of Digital Transformation Mikhail Fedorov said on Monday that Ukrainian military drones were able to destroy more than 200 units of Russian equipment in a week, including 39 tanks, 41 armored vehicles and 66 trucks.
James Patton Rogers, an expert on drone warfare and executive director of the Technology Policy Institute at Cornell Brooks School in New York, said FPV drones have changed the nature of modern warfare.
“With their ability to evade traditional air defenses and quickly identify and engage their targets, they pose a new aerial threat to soldiers burrowed into forward trenches, pushing armor and troops further into the background for resupply “to push them forward.” . He said. said I.
“Simply put, drones have added a whole new dimension of ubiquitous and persistent threat to the modern battlefield.”
While Ukraine pioneered the use of drones, launching a Drone Army program to encourage companies to produce thousands of drones, the cash-strapped country is now being overtaken by Russia, which is pouring more money and resources into its economy. invested in the drone business.
Military analysts say Russia has successfully copied Ukrainian tactics and is producing drones on a much larger scale than Ukraine.
“This investment is paying off on the battlefield as Ukrainian forces fear they have now lost their advantage in using drones,” the doctor said. Rogers.
On Wednesday, Russian state news agency TASS reported the use of Upir FPV drones in Ukraine, saying their use had increased in recent weeks. Kherson last month.
“We have increased production capacity and will continue to do so, as consumption of Upyr has increased recently,” a manufacturer representative said, according to TASS.
Russia has also become more innovative in its use of homemade weapons. In October, Russian state news agency TASS reported that a thermal imaging camera had been integrated into the production Gortenzia FPV drone for night attacks.
The Sudoplatov Battalion, a volunteer unit fighting alongside Russian troops, released a video on Tuesday that reportedly showed FPV drone strikes on Ukrainian targets in the dark.
“For the first time, we are publishing footage of the use of high-precision kamikaze drones VT-40 at night,” the battalion wrote on its Telegram. “Thanks to the introduction of the latest technologies, FPV crews of the Russian Armed Forces have the opportunity to work around the clock.”
A Politico investigation in July found that Russia has received more than $100 million worth of drones from China this year (30 times more than Ukraine) as well as thermal imaging equipment. China has not commented on the report’s allegations, but Beijing has repeatedly denied supplying military equipment to Russia.
Faced with dwindling Western weapons stockpiles, Ukraine is trying to increase local production of various military equipment and ammunition, but relies heavily on foreign-made drone engines.
Ukraine’s Strategic Industry Minister Alexander Kamyshin told the NATO Industrial Forum in Stockholm last month that Kyiv has increased production of military drones and plans to produce “tens of thousands” per month. “This is something we are developing even faster than conventional military ammunition and military weapons,” he added.
Dr Rogers said Ukraine had taken decisive steps to bridge the emerging “drone gap”. Kyiv officials reportedly buy up to 60 percent of the world’s supply of Mavic systems made by Chinese commercial drone maker DJI, and “they are essential for tactical use.” . drones on the battlefield.”
But he added: “This is far from a long-term solution and shortcomings remain.”
While NATO countries continue to arm Ukraine, “the simple fact is that most commercial drones are made in China,” the doctor said. Rogers.
In July, Beijing announced export controls on drones and drone parts and, while it has not yet stopped shipments, has stressed the need to increase local production.
“As a result, NATO members are currently unable to fully cover supply shortfalls,” the doctor said. Rogers.
Source: I News
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