R-60 Missile Spotted on Shahed for the First Time: Russia Arming Drones with Air-to-Air Weapons

For the first time in Ukraine, the combat use of the R-60 air-to-air missile mounted on the Russian Shahed was recorded.

Photos of the wreckage confirm the presence of a launcher and the missile itself based on the downed drone, they appeared on the On communication with Serhii Flash analytical Telegram channel.

The R-60 is a short-range missile with an infrared homing head that does not require radar to engage a target.

Its standard mission is to engage helicopters and tactical aircraft at short ranges.

The Russians are likely to integrate it into the Shahed to hit Ukrainian fighter jets hunting UAVs.

At the crash site, the characteristic elements of the missile were found: a thermal warhead, stabilizers and a part of the body with markings, as well as fragments of the drone’s attachment.

Judging by the photo, the missile was mounted under one of the Shahed’s wings, probably due to an improvised adaptation for a UAV.

This decision by the enemy indicates a desire to increase the survivability of the Shahed during nighttime routes deep inside Ukraine.

The integration of the R-60 significantly changes the risks for Ukrainian tactical aviation crews performing mid-air intercepts of drones.

The R-60 – a short-range air-to-air guided missile

• Type: guided air-to-air missile
• Class: ‘air-to-air’
• Purpose: destruction of airplanes and helicopters in close combat
• Guidance: infrared homing head (IRH)
• Speed: supersonic, but not hypersonic
• Launch: from airplanes and previously from helicopters

The Ukraine’s Defense Forces continue to analyze the wreckage. The flight route and specifics of the missile’s use on a UAV are being established.