Russians Test Naval Strike Drone During July Storm Exercises

Russian forces tested a new naval strike drone during the large-scale July Storm military exercises.

The Russian Ministry of Defense released a video showing an unmanned surface vessel (USV) striking and destroying a maritime target. According to the exercise scenario, the target simulated a warship.

In addition to the naval drone, the drills also involved FPV drones and unmanned surface vessels. Their purpose and specifications have not yet been officially disclosed.

All operational-strategic formations of the Russian Navy are participating in the exercises, except for the Black Sea Fleet. They are practicing tasks involving the detection and destruction of maritime and coastal targets.

In May 2024, the Russian Navy announced the formation of specialized naval regiments for unmanned systems, a new element in the structure of Russia’s armed forces.

The new units are expected to be equipped with a variety of robotic platforms, including aerial, ground, surface, and underwater drones. This diversification is intended to expand the tactical capabilities of the Russian Navy.

The tasks of the new regiments include conducting reconnaissance, striking enemy targets, protecting their own vessels, countering enemy drones, and neutralizing naval mines.

The development of naval drones in Russia first became widely known in 2023, when one of the unmanned surface vessels attacked a railway bridge in Odesa in an attempt to destroy strategic infrastructure.

That same year, the Russian company KMZ unveiled a strike naval drone called Oduvanchik (Dandelion), which resembled Ukrainian unmanned boat models in its design.

Two years later, Russia opened a unified center for naval drone production at the Kingisepp Machine-Building Plant in Saint Petersburg. The center became part of Russia’s defense industry.

To support serial production of the drones, a testing facility was established, featuring an indoor pool and equipment for evaluating control and data transmission systems. This setup allows for year-round testing.

The intensified development and deployment of naval drones reflects Russia’s intent to expand its capabilities in unmanned surface vessels, both on the front lines and behind them.