Ukraine Seeks New Tactics for Using Naval Drones

Ukraine continues to expand the capabilities of naval unmanned systems by combining them with aerial and ground drones. The Katran drones demonstrated as early as a year ago that they can be used in combat operations not only as naval drones, but also as multifunctional platforms capable of bringing small aerial drones closer to their targets. Now, manufacturers and the military are working together to develop new solutions and expand the tactics for using naval drones. This was reported by The New York Times.

GUR special forces operator Ninth sits on a children’s swing by a lake where non-combat tests of the latest Katran naval drone models are being conducted. Such events are usually organized for foreign journalists. Ninth is giving an interview as the coordinator of this development: he helps MAC HUB engineers find solutions that the military needs when carrying out complex combat missions.

Ninth next to a Katran naval drone / Photo by MAC HUB

“Everything has to be thought through down to the smallest detail. For example, these interceptors are shaped like rockets because they are stored vertically and take up almost no space. We started building all of this from old parts and pieces of plastic, and now we have reached a stage of development where we are refining every little detail,” explains Ninth.

The unmanned drones can be operated from a distance of 1,000 kilometers, but some members of the team still work in a dangerous area. During one operation, which ultimately proved successful and effective for the Defense Forces, enemy reconnaissance identified the coastal site where the Katran naval drones were being prepared for launch and carried out several missile strikes. The team lost both personnel and equipment. Ninth was also wounded at the time.

Over time, it became clear that naval drones can support more than just offensive or sabotage operations. In April this year, the project team identified another use for the Katran systems – this time, a defensive one. During a Russian attack on Ukrainian cities, Ukraine’s 412th unmanned systems brigade shot down two Shahed using interceptor drones that operators remotely launched from a waterborne platform.

Systems must constantly adapt to new threats, using aerial, maritime, and ground robots in different combinations. This is exactly what Ukrainian manufacturers are continually working on. And the rest of the world is trying to learn from their experience.

“Throughout all these years, ever since naval drones began sinking the russian fleet, we have been approached by countries that want to acquire these systems for themselves or set up their own production, including countries in the Gulf region,” says Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

However, Ukrainian commanders say the key to success in today’s drone warfare lies not in any particular type of technology, but in professional, experienced teams that can adapt quickly. As for the technology itself, Ninth says the next step in Ukraine’s development of drone capabilities will be to equip maritime drones with long-range heavy weapons.