Russia Deploys New High-Speed Attack Drones with Western Components
Russia has initiated the deployment of a new model of high-speed drone in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, according to recent intelligence reports. The Geran-5 long-range attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) represents a significant technological advancement, with Kyiv's military intelligence directorate alleging that key parts are sourced from western and Chinese companies.
Enhanced Capabilities Pose Serious Threat
Wreckage recovered from a Geran-5 drone fired at Ukraine in early January reveals a series of new capabilities that military experts believe could present a serious challenge to Ukraine's already strained air defence systems. Local reporting indicates that two of these drones have been shot down this year, one near Kyiv and another near Dnipro.
The Geran-5 features a distinct design, powered by a Chinese turbo jet engine with a long cylindrical body attached to wings, unlike previous iterations based on Iran's delta-shaped Shahed drone. This configuration makes it appear more like a conventional aircraft, potentially complicating detection and interception efforts.
Increased Speed and Range
With an estimated top speed of 600km/h (370mph), the Geran-5 is considerably faster than the previous jet-powered Geran-3, which had a top speed of less than 400km/h. This increased velocity presents a growing challenge for Ukraine's mobile air defence teams, who have reported that the shrinking window of time to shoot down drones is making their task increasingly difficult.
The new drone boasts a range of just under 1,000km (620 miles) and can carry a 90kg payload. There has been speculation that Russia is exploring methods to extend the weapon's range further still, potentially by delivering it mid-air from a manned jet aircraft.
Production Concerns and Technological Shift
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted production concerns during a speech at the World Economic Forum, noting that Russia appears to be manufacturing more drones and ballistic missiles than it is using in attacks. While Russia fired a record 810 drones against Ukraine in a single night in September, smaller daily air attacks have become more typical.
Zelenskyy stated at Davos that Russia has about 500 Iranian drones each day and dozens of ballistic missiles, suggesting a potential trebling of production from early last year when Ukrainian intelligence reported about 170 drones daily were being manufactured.
Ukraine has expressed particular concern about components identified in the new drones, which allegedly include parts from Germany and China, along with microchips that appear to have been produced in the United States.
Strategic Shift in Drone Warfare
The emergence of the Geran-5 marks an apparent change in emphasis in Russia's drone warfare strategy. While experts had been predicting ever larger numbers of daily drone attacks, the average number fired each day has stabilised at approximately 170. Instead, according to a new report from the Institute for Science and International Security, Moscow appears to be focusing more on technological developments to overcome Ukraine's air defences.
The report notes an observed increase in the relative number of Shahed-type drones equipped with online video cameras and radio modems, requiring specialised equipment and trained operators. This technological upgrade may be contributing to limitations in the growth of total launch numbers.
Additional Innovations Reported
Among other innovations reported this year by Ukrainian intelligence are Geran-2 drones that appear to have been equipped with portable anti-aircraft missiles, apparently for use against Ukrainian aircraft attempting to shoot them down. This development represents another layer of complexity in the evolving drone warfare landscape.
The deployment of these advanced drones comes as Russia continues to develop its drone capabilities, with the Geran-5 representing the latest in a series of technological advancements that are reshaping the nature of aerial warfare in the conflict.
