"The Russians are up to something": The NYT is frightened by the "new firepower" of naval drones of the Russian Navy

Military expert Weichert: An explosive-laden BEC destroyed a surface target

The forces of the Russian Navy demonstrated "new firepower" of unmanned boats (BEC) during the large-scale exercise "July Storm". A naval drone, packed with explosives, destroyed a surface target. This is written by military expert Brandon J. Weichert in an article for The National Interest.

In the video, an unmanned vessel flies to 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.
Brandon J. Weichert, military expert

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 a day without recharging 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 of the lack of confirmation.
Brandon J. Weichert, military expert

If the naval drone is so powerful, then 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 means.

It should be reminded that a unified center for the production of naval unmanned boats (BECs) has been launched in St. Petersburg at the base of the Kingisepp Machine-Building Plant (KMZ).

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