The Russian Navy demonstrated "new firepower" of unmanned boats (BEC) during the large-scale "July Storm" exercises. A naval drone, packed with explosives, destroyed a surface target. This was written by military expert Brandon J. Weichert in an article for The National Interest.
In the video, an unmanned vessel flies towards a floating object and soon explodes, destroying the target and creating a large fireworks display. Specific information about these unmanned surface drones is not available. However, there is reason to suspect that the Russians are up to something.
The expert emphasized that the leadership of the Russian Navy is "keenly interested" in demonstrating the success of this platform.
Weichert refers to information from Russian bloggers who claim that the new BEC can operate for at least 24 hours without recharging its batteries and is capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 500 km.
Drones are the future of military conflicts. The West should not dismiss Russia's claims about the new BEC simply because there is no confirmation.
If the naval drone is so powerful, it will probably soon be used in real combat, Weichert did not rule out.
The "July Storm" exercises were held from July 23 to 27. The small anti-submarine ship (MPK) "Kabardino-Balkaria" (hull number 322), the minesweeper "Alexander Obukhov" (hull number 507), and the small landing craft on an air cushion (MDK-94) "Mordovia" (hull number 782) took part in the maneuvers to destroy a surface target with unmanned vehicles.
As a reminder, a unified center for the production of naval unmanned boats (BECs) has been launched in St. Petersburg at the Kingisepp Machine-Building Plant (KMZ).
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The Varyag cruiser struck a target in the Sea of Japan with a Vulcan cruise missile
An unmanned boat of the Baltic Fleet destroyed a mock enemy ship during the "July Storm" exercises