Russian Military Technology : Updates and Discussions
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Russia is testing the first compact anti-drone MANPADS, the VEKTOP, designed to combat UAVs. The MANPADS uses a missile with a flight speed of up to 450 km/h. It can intercept targets at altitudes of up to 2,000 meters, and targets flying at altitudes of up to 700 meters. The warhead can use small fragmentation charges, including the VOG-17 and VOG-25. The fragmentation radius of an aerial target is expected to reach up to 10 meters. It's worth noting that the MANPADS is relatively inexpensive; the tube for the MANPADS is 3D-printed. The MANPADS's specifications are still preliminary; whether it will go into production depends on support from the Russian Ministry of Defense. The MANPADS is expected to be tens of times cheaper than modern standard MANPADS.
Footage from the Zapad-2025 exercise featuring Russian counter-maritime drone units. The video shows the drones being engaged with large-caliber small arms, which some ships have been equipped with. It's worth noting that this isn't sufficient to protect the ships. The second part of the video shows the use of the Berezhok stationary combat module, which is mounted on a vessel. In the video, the combat module is used to protect the coastline. The module is armed with a 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon and a Kornet anti-tank missile system. A stationary target is used to simulate an unmanned boat, significantly facilitating the operator's work.
Russia has developed the "Lovets" mobile anti-aircraft system to combat UAVs. The "Lovets" air defense system is based on the BRDM-2 and is equipped with a twin 23mm ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun. Developed by AVD LLC, the system is equipped with a thermal imaging sight and a camera with 32x optical zoom. This allows it to detect drones at a range of up to 3,000 meters. The BRDM-2's powertrain and transmission were replaced. The "Lovets" air defense system is capable of engaging targets at altitudes of up to 1,500 meters and at ranges of up to 2,500 meters. The system's rate of fire is up to 2,000 rounds per minute. It is not yet clear how many air defense systems have been produced.
A batch of new Russian Su-35S fighters, manufactured in September by the Yury Gagarin Aircraft Plant, was delivered to the Russian Ministry of Defense as part of a state defense order. This is the fourth batch of aircraft this year. The Su-35S is a successful development of the Soviet fourth-generation heavy fighter, the Su-27. In terms of performance, the aircraft is almost on par with fifth-generation fighters, although it is inferior primarily in radar signature.
The aircraft have undergone a full cycle of factory testing, have been accepted by technical personnel, and have been pilot-tested in various operating modes.
The aircraft have undergone a full cycle of factory testing, have been accepted by technical personnel, and have been pilot-tested in various operating modes.
A training exercise involving the crew of a Russian T-90M "Proryv" tank, part of the "Center" force group. The soldiers practiced tactical fire pressure and tank operations from an indirect fire position at the training ground
Footage from the first close-up shot in Russia of the Ukrainian Magura-V5 marine drone, equipped with FPV drones. The unmanned boat was discovered on September 24 off the coast of the Russian city of Tuapse. The Magura-V5 drone is based on a Chinese jet ski; a review of the drone is available on this channel. The marine drone is controlled via Starlink and Kymeta satellite communications channels. A mobile network can also be used for coastal control; the drone is equipped with a router. Containers for launching FPV drones controlled via fiber optics are installed onboard. Judging by the coils, the FPV drones have a control range of approximately 15 kilometers. Russian specialists have already begun studying the marine drone.
Russian oil refineries have begun protecting themselves from drones. A video captured by an eyewitness shows an oil refinery in Samara equipped with special protective nets to protect against drones. The protective nets and metal structures are intended to protect the facility from drone attacks. It's worth noting that oil refineries and oil depots in Russia are not protected by military air defenses. The management of these facilities is responsible for organizing anti-drone protection. Similar anti-drone protection has now been installed at several other oil refineries in Russia.
The Russian company "Russian Combat Vehicles" unveiled the "Legioner" armored pickup truck. It is not yet clear whether the new armored vehicle will be mass-produced. The armored vehicle was built using the experience of modern warfare. The all-wheel drive "Legioner" features an armored cabin and an open cargo bed. The pickup is equipped with a mount for a machine gun or electronic warfare systems. The bed can carry two wounded personnel. The pickup has a BR 5 protection class, protecting the crew from automatic weapons fire, including rifle rounds with heat-strengthened cores. The "Legioner" armored vehicle weighs 6.5 tons and has a payload capacity of 2.5 tons. The armored vehicle is equipped with a YaMZ-534 diesel engine producing 200 hp, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 100 km/h. The armored vehicle has a range of approximately 750 km. The price of the "Legioner" pickup has not been announced.
Footage of Russian assault cavalry training. The idea came from a unit commander with the call sign "Khan" from the 9th Brigade of the 51st Russian Army. He explained that assault troopers in full gear have to march 10-15 kilometers, then return, leaving them exhausted. Horses are also used to transport ammunition and evacuate the wounded in areas where armored vehicles cannot penetrate. The soldiers are currently training on Karachay horses. The cavalrymen work in tandem with drones. The new method could prove an effective complement to the work of motorized groups and armored vehicles in difficult terrain.
Russian communications specialists from the 36th Guards Combined Arms Army, part of the "East" group of forces, demonstrated the use of a remote control system for an all-terrain fiber-optic cable-laying vehicle. The cable-laying vehicle is based on the Chinese-made Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicle. The primary purpose of this remote control system is to reduce the risk to soldiers from drones during communications missions. The cable-laying vehicle can lay up to 5 kilometers of fiber-optic cable in various ground conditions.
Russia is developing a modified Su-57M1 fighter jet, which will approach sixth-generation fighters in capabilities. The first information about it was published by media outlets, citing sources close to the United Aircraft Corporation. According to analysts, the Su-57M1 will compete with the promising American F-35 Plus fighter. A brief overview of the new features. According to initial, as yet unconfirmed, data, the Su-57M1 will receive the latest AL-51F1 engines. An upgraded N036 Belka X-band radar will enable the detection of fighter-type targets at ranges of up to 520 km.
The aircraft will be able to cooperate with a swarm of drones using artificial intelligence. Avionics and electronic warfare systems will be improved, and automation will be enhanced. The onboard flight control system will incorporate elements of artificial intelligence. New materials and technological solutions will be used for stealth treatment of air intakes and compartments, which will reduce the aircraft's signature. The Su-57M1 will be easier to maintain and upgrade thanks to its modular architecture. Weapons will also be upgraded.
The aircraft will be able to cooperate with a swarm of drones using artificial intelligence. Avionics and electronic warfare systems will be improved, and automation will be enhanced. The onboard flight control system will incorporate elements of artificial intelligence. New materials and technological solutions will be used for stealth treatment of air intakes and compartments, which will reduce the aircraft's signature. The Su-57M1 will be easier to maintain and upgrade thanks to its modular architecture. Weapons will also be upgraded.
The Russian Air Force received a new batch of Su-34 frontline fighter-bombers in October under a state defense order. The number of aircraft is not disclosed, but typically ranges from two to four. This is the fifth batch of combat aircraft of this type since the beginning of 2025. According to Vadim Badekha, CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation, more aircraft will be delivered this year. The Su-34 is currently the most actively used aircraft in military aviation. Throughout its service, the aircraft has confirmed its status as the best in its class and remains a key element of Russia's combat aviation.
Russia is expanding its production of drone components. Russian company Batareon, a developer and supplier of lithium battery systems under the NETHER brand, has opened its first full-cycle lithium-ion battery production plant. The plant was built in the Laishevo Industrial Park in the Innopolis Special Economic Zone, near Kazan. It will manufacture batteries, battery cells, chargers, and BMS boards—electronic controllers that manage battery operation. The plant's production capacity is designed to produce up to 700,000 units per year, a level it plans to reach by 2026.
A video from recent Russian military exercises in the Baltic Sea featuring the Russian Project 22800 Karakurt missile ship Burya. The video shows the interception of an aerial target using the powerful Pantsir-M air defense missile and artillery system. Brief air defense specifications are shown on the screen. The targets were target missiles launched from the coast of the Kaliningrad region. The upgraded Pantsir-M air defense missile and artillery system is also capable of intercepting anti-ship missiles flying at altitudes of 3-5 meters above the sea surface
Russia's first military robot exercise. A video from the recent joint Russian-Belarusian military exercise "Zapad-2025," featuring the Russian-made Kurier robotic system. The video also shows other robot models. This is Russia's first large-scale military robot exercise. Kurier tracked robots are currently in active use by the Russian army; technical information about them is available in the link to the video in the comments. The exercises utilize Kurier tracked drones equipped with 12.7mm machine guns, AGS-30 grenade launchers, and a version with an anti-tank minelayer.
The Irkutsk Aviation Plant has completed the first prototype of the Russian-made upgraded Yak-130M combat trainer. The Yak-130M is designed for ground and flight testing, and two more aircraft are currently being assembled. It was previously reported that the upgraded Yak-130M will receive additional armament, including air-to-air missiles and high-precision air-to-ground weapons with satellite and laser guidance systems. The primary goal of the ongoing upgrade is to expand the aircraft's combat capabilities and its export potential.
The Russian and Indian armies have launched the Indra-2025 military exercise. The main phase of the exercise is currently underway at the Mahajan training ground in India. According to the scenario, simulated terrorists seized a populated area and took local residents hostage. Russian and Indian military personnel, after conducting reconnaissance of the area, discovered sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the simulated enemy. The units advanced in military vehicles to block the simulated enemy's retreat area. While on the move, the soldiers practiced countering the sabotage and reconnaissance groups, providing first aid and evacuation to the injured. Drones and electronic warfare systems were used in the exercise to counter drones.
Testing of the Marta interceptor drone has begun in Russia, Nikolai Rogatkin announced. The drone is being tested in the Black Sea. The interceptor drone will presumably be primarily used to counter FPV drones launched from maritime unmanned aerial vehicles. The drone is being developed by the Bars-Sarmat robotic systems center. The drone is already ready, and an auto-targeting system is currently being developed, as it is difficult to target such drones at high speeds. Technical specifications are unknown, but the manufacturer reports that the interceptor drone can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h.
The Russian army has received approximately 1,500 Tor FPV drones. All types of drones have been delivered, including those with fiber optics and embedded artificial intelligence modules. Tor drones were developed by specialists from a Moscow design bureau and engineers from St. Petersburg. According to the developers, the drones can operate autonomously, avoiding enemy electronic warfare (EW) zones. The drone can perform missions without operator intervention or operate in a mixed mode, with the operator setting the target and the artificial intelligence assisting in its destruction. Tor drones have undergone approximately 10 stages of improvement over three years and are now available in several modifications, including models with diameters ranging from 10 to 15 inches.