The new structure received governing bodies, leadership and an emblem.
The troops of unmanned systems created in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will increase the effectiveness of the combat use of drones. They now play one of the most important roles in conducting offensive and defensive operations. The new organizational structure will ensure the massive use of drones in the right areas of the front, which will help Russian units move forward more confidently, experts interviewed by Izvestia believe.
Concentration of efforts
The creation of unmanned systems by troops as a single structure will have a positive impact on the Armed Forces and the tasks they perform, military expert Viktor Litovkin told Izvestia.
"A single structure will deal with unmanned systems in all types of Armed Forces," he said. — This will increase the effectiveness of their use. We will have a structured system of unmanned aircraft, and it should be tailored not only for today's tasks, but also for tomorrow.
The new branch of the armed forces will make it possible to concentrate efforts more effectively on a particular section of the line of contact, military expert Vasily Dandykin believes.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Sergey Pivovarov
Image source: iz.ru
"UAVs and other types of drones will become easier to use massively," the expert explained. — In the direction of the main attack, the command will assemble powerful groups of drones that will have to break through the enemy's defenses. During the Great Patriotic War, artillery regiments of the reserve of the Supreme High Command played a similar role. It should be noted that drones can solve many more tasks on the battlefield. During offensive operations, they will have to conduct reconnaissance, knock out firing points, destroy certain fortifications and even gain air supremacy over areas where our units will carry out attacks. Directly during the offensive, they will support infantry and tanks with fire, intelligence information and cover from air threats.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Stanislav Krasilnikov
Image source: iz.ru
The completion of the creation of unmanned systems troops became known on November 12. The deputy head of the new branch of the armed forces, Colonel Sergei Ishtuganov, said that the structure has already been determined, a chief has been appointed, military management bodies at all levels have been created, regular regiments and other units have been formed.
The new troops have already received the emblem. Framed by a wreath of oak leaves, a crossed golden sword and arrow with soaring wings are depicted on a red background, with a five—pointed star in the very center. At the top of the wreath is the emblem of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation — a double-headed eagle with outstretched wings.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Stanislav Krasilnikov
Image source: iz.ru
In June, President Vladimir Putin noted that Russia is creating troops of unmanned systems as a separate branch of the armed forces, and it is necessary to ensure their fastest and highest-quality deployment and development. According to the head of state, thanks to the operators of unmanned aerial vehicles, up to half of the Armed Forces equipment is affected.
Concentration of resources
The creation of a separate branch of the armed forces can serve to further develop unmanned systems and their organizational development, military expert Yuri Lyamin told Izvestia: this will allow certain resources to be concentrated on the development of this area.
— Already in the course of hostilities, there is a massive introduction of unmanned systems. This applies to all types: both aircraft and unmanned boats, as well as various land platforms. Since all this is actively developing, the question has long been raised that it is necessary to allocate and create a separate branch of the armed forces. Such a step seems logical enough, because drones are a relatively new phenomenon compared to the same tank troops, artillery and the like. And their mass implementation requires a certain specialization and general attention.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Stanislav Krasilnikov
Image source: iz.ru
A special military operation has shown that automated systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles, have become an integral part of combined-arms combat, military expert Alexei Leonkov noted.
"At the beginning of their work, they mainly served as auxiliary facilities and were represented by separate complexes," he recalled. — There were no devices specially designed for the needs of the army in large quantities, mostly commercial or homemade drones were used. Now the situation has changed. The sky above the line of combat is as saturated as possible with UAVs, judging by the statistics of the Ministry of Defense, they are shot down by tens or even hundreds of thousands. They have replaced some means of destruction, in particular, army and tactical aircraft. There is a clear specification of combat systems. There are scouts, reconnaissance and shock, so-called FPV drones, which have received the nickname "kamikaze". Mobile drones are operating on the ground.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Stanislav Krasilnikov
Image source: iz.ru
The technical base will definitely be improved, Alexey Leonkov is sure.
"UAVs with piston and electric motors will be replaced by supersonic ones, and hypersonic vehicles will probably appear," the expert believes. — This process cannot be stopped. What can we say if the Poseidon, which is part of the nuclear triad, is actually an underwater drone?
Photo: RIA Novosti/Stanislav Krasilnikov
Image source: iz.ru
The new troops will largely determine the future of military unmanned systems, the expert noted.
"Based on the combat experience they have gained, they will influence the development of new designs and participate in the formation of technical specifications for new vehicles," he concluded.
Cadres decide everything
The development of new models of equipment, combat training programs, exchange of experience, and personnel training will be the responsibility of the command of the new branch of the armed forces, Vasily Dandykin noted.
"Officers for the unmanned systems troops will be trained at the new military school," he recalled.
Izvestia wrote that the Russian Defense Ministry is discussing an initiative to create the country's first Higher Military School for Unmanned Systems in the Moscow Region. It will produce officers for a new branch of the military. It is expected that the school will accept the first cadets on September 1, 2027.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Stanislav Krasilnikov
Image source: iz.ru
The teaching staff will have to not only train future officers, but also summarize and systematize the vast amount of practical knowledge accumulated during their training in this field.
There were no such universities in Russia. So far, officers are being trained in educational institutions of a different profile. In particular, the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School is conducting training under the program "the use of units with unmanned aerial vehicles." And the Zhukovsky and Yuri Gagarin Air Force Academy has a faculty of unmanned aircraft.
Roman Kretsul
Bogdan Stepovoy
