The new infrastructure will make it possible to more effectively control the Northern Sea Route, the Bering Strait and will cover the base of nuclear submarines.
The Navy has deployed the first Drone Control Center in Kamchatka. The plans include the construction of an extensive network of sites on the peninsula, where the Outpost and Pacer reconnaissance and attack drones will be located and maintained. Experts are confident that such an infrastructure will not only increase the effectiveness of monitoring territories, but also enhance the security of the Northern Sea Route and the strategic nuclear submarine base, which is nicknamed the "Hornet's Nest" in NATO.
The Navy has deployed the first Drone Control Center in Kamchatka. The plans include the construction of an extensive network of sites on the peninsula, where the Outpost and Pacer reconnaissance and attack drones will be located and maintained. Experts are confident that such an infrastructure will not only increase the effectiveness of monitoring territories, but also enhance the security of the Northern Sea Route and the strategic nuclear submarine base, which is nicknamed the "Hornet's Nest" in NATO.
Increased monitoring
The UAV control center and maintenance systems were deployed in Kamchatka. The military department plans to build special sites on the peninsula where long-range drones could be deployed, sources in the Russian Defense Ministry told Izvestia.
The Pacer and Outpost devices will monitor the Arctic regions, the interlocutors of the publication noted.
The new infrastructure will make it possible to control the sea area, airspace and vast northern territories, military experts interviewed by Izvestia noted.
"All information coming from unmanned vehicles will flow into the new control center," military expert Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia. — It will increase the effectiveness of drones. UAVs will allow for round-the-clock patrolling of vast territories and water areas. It is much easier, cheaper and safer to do this with drones than with manned aircraft. Our military understands this. The first drones for patrolling were deployed on the peninsula quite a long time ago — these were the Orlan UAVs.
In the difficult conditions of the Russian North, a centralized and well-developed infrastructure is needed for drones to operate accurately and efficiently, the expert noted.
In addition, if necessary, prepared platforms for UAVs will ensure the deployment of additional vehicles.
Kamchatka and the surrounding areas are not only the Northern Sea Route, but also the Bering Strait, which separates us from the United States, and many strategically important Arctic islands, said military expert Captain First Rank Vasily Dandykin.
"But most importantly, Kamchatka is home to our nuclear submarine base, which has long been nicknamed the Hornet's Nest in the United States and NATO," he said. — Strategic missile submarines, as well as multi-purpose nuclear submarines, are deployed there. The security of the base, as well as the unhindered withdrawal of nuclear submarines into the ocean at the first command, is an important task. The methodical work of reconnaissance UAVs will seriously increase the effectiveness of measures to protect it.
Relations with the United States are tense — they do not want to recognize Russian sovereignty over the Northern Sea Route, Dmitry Boltenkov agrees.
"The United States has become more active and more willing to conduct exercises in this region," he said. — They have military bases in Alaska, the army and navy conduct certain operations that are not advertised. Given the current geopolitical situation and the unfounded claims of individual countries, increased control over the Arctic regions is simply necessary.
The build-up of forces and capabilities of UAV units is connected with the creation of unmanned systems in the spring of this year, Vasily Dandykin recalled.
"The actions of aerial, surface, and, if necessary, underwater drones are now being actively practiced," the expert noted. — During the July Storm exercises, our sailors were engaged in this, including in the Pacific Ocean. Of course, UAVs should have a single command center where all information would flow and decisions would be made. All our navies and the Caspian Flotilla should have them.
Air station wagons
"The characteristics of modern Russian UAVs make it possible to control vast areas," said Dmitry Boltenkov. — Having an extensive network of special jump-up and basing sites, they will be able, replacing each other, to conduct effective round-the-clock monitoring. The modern vehicle maintenance infrastructure will also allow additional forces to be deployed to the northern latitudes.
"Pacer" and "Outpost" are universal reconnaissance and attack unmanned aerial vehicles.
The first of them is a drone with a cruising speed of 200 km/h and a range of 300 km. He is capable of solving many tasks. Among them are topographic surveys of the area, fire correction, radio—technical reconnaissance and high-precision weapons strikes.
The UAV can carry correctable, guided and free—falling bombs, as well as anti-tank missiles - these munitions can also hit surface targets. It can carry up to 300 kg of cargo and stay in the air for up to 24 hours.
At a maximum take-off weight of 500 kg, the Outpost takes on board aircraft weapons weighing up to 100 kg, such as KAB-20 adjustable aircraft bombs and anti-tank missiles. The cruising speed of the vehicle is from 120 to 180 km / h, the flight duration is up to 18 hours.
Northern Patrol
In recent years, special attention has been paid to the protection of the country's northeastern borders. In 2023, the updated Kamchatka security system was tested during the maneuvers of the Pacific Fleet. It has shown high reliability and effectiveness in protecting the coast from both air and sea strikes. At the same time, for the first time, they checked the possibility of all submarines leaving bases on the peninsula, and worked out their protection along the entire route to designated areas.
The 317th Mixed Aviation Regiment is responsible for the defense of the peninsula's skies. He received a special structure unlike other Russian aviation units. The regiment consists of several squadrons: a mixed anti-submarine "Silt", a transport, two helicopters, as well as a unit of drones.
Izvestia wrote that it is planned to involve Tu-142 aircraft in patrolling on the Northern Sea Route. Their range of more than 5,000 km allows them to explore large areas of the NSR without landing. They are suitable for participating in search and rescue operations and will help monitor the water area. But their main purpose is to search for potential enemy submarines and electronic reconnaissance.
Bogdan Stepovoy
Roman Kretsul
