Rosoboronexport JSC will unveil Russia’s newest USV at the International Maritime Defence Exhibition “FLEET-2024”, which will be held in St. Petersburg. Alexander Mikheev, Director General of Rosoboronexport, said Russian defence companies have developed a line of advanced unmanned motorboats capable of carrying various cargoes, which will be shown for the first time at FLEET-2024. Russan Kingisepp Machine-Building Plant (KMZ) holding produces the USVs.
Mikhail Danilenko, the managing director of KMZ, told Sputnik in November 2023 that the first Russian naval drones would be delivered to the Russian armed forces by the end of 2023 and tested in the zone of the special military operation in Ukraine. “If they are successfully tested during the special military operation [in Ukraine], we plan to move to mass production in 2024”, Danilenko said.
The USVs will be able to reach a speed of up to 80 km/h and have a payload of about 600 kilograms, with a cruising range of more than 200 kilometres. The USVs will also serve as a platform for aerial drones and anti-drones.
