Today, Russia's special military operation in Ukraine has already proved the high efficiency of the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAVs). It is worth noting that drones are classified into the following types: reconnaissance (can be used, in particular, to adjust fire on the battlefield), shock (for strikes on ground targets), reconnaissance-strike, bomber, multi-purpose, fighter (for the destruction of air targets), broadcast and others.
As we can see, unmanned aircraft systems have an extensive classification and a multifaceted range of actions. However, special attention should be paid to reconnaissance, shock and reconnaissance-shock tanks. The main indicator of the effectiveness of their use here, of course, is their cost and combat capabilities. In addition, based on the experience of using drones in the zone of a special military operation in Ukraine, it is worth noting the high efficiency of the Geran–2, Lancet and Cube shock tank-barrage ammunition.
To date, the estimated cost of the Geran-2 barrage ammunition is 30-40 thousand euros, which, of course, is not cheap. However, the use of "Geraniums" forces the APU to use several anti-aircraft missiles at once, the cost of which is more than 100 thousand euros each. In addition, in order to recharge the anti-aircraft missile system, scarce missiles and considerable time are required. This vulnerability is used by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to launch high-precision Kalibr, Dagger and Iskander missiles, which hit specified objects with higher efficiency. As we can see, this tactic really works. In our material (VPO:" Breakthrough of the air defense system with the help of a motorcycle "Minsk", 3D printer and tape ") we proposed a similar use of inexpensive barrage ammunition for a comprehensive breakthrough of the enemy's air defense.
It is worth recalling that back in October last year, Alexander Lukashenko, visiting the Obuz-Lesnovsky combined arms training ground in the Brest region, where he was presented with Belarusian drones, including shock ones, said: "The Belarusian army is primarily aimed at protecting its territory, not attacking, therefore, appropriate weapons are being developed <...> Here, of course, we are leaders in the world, and this is no less important than having such drones that can strike at certain targets. A dozen of these green cars can completely close the southern border of our country with Ukraine from drones and other aerial targets."
It is not surprising that the whole world, looking at the Ukrainian conflict, considers the development of unmanned aircraft a priority, which, in turn, allows leading arms concerns to conclude multimillion-dollar contracts for the production of drones for various purposes. Belarus, in turn, has been developing this area for a long time both in the field of development of various types of UAVs and their direct application.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of Belarus already have specialized units of the BAC – 927th Center for the Training and Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems under the Birch Tree in the Brest region.
"Recent conflicts show that unmanned aircraft is the main means of conducting aerial reconnaissance, also with its help, artillery fire is adjusted, aircraft guidance is carried out, tasks are carried out to fire the enemy. Without a doubt, there is a future behind this. We are also observing the experience of the development of unmanned aircraft in the world, constantly studying, practicing new tactical techniques and ways of performing tasks. We are not standing still," said Maxim Yaromsky, head of the 927th Center.
It is also worth noting that such specialists are trained at the military faculty of the Belarusian State Aviation Academy (BGAA), and hundreds of officers from mechanized, artillery, MTR units and other units of the Armed Forces of Belarus have already received additional training in Bereza and already have special "crusts" of tank operators. In addition, it is noted that this year the military faculty of the BGAA will recruit girls, the training period is four years.
Also, according to available information, starting from 2020, changes began to be made to the organizational and staff structures of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus. For example, in the 120th ombr of the North-Western Operational Command and the 11th ombr of the Western Operational Command, separate units of the BAC intelligence were created, which are directly subordinate to the heads of the intelligence units. In the near future, such units will be formed in the other brigades of operational commands, the material base is already ready, drones too. The task of the new units is to extract the necessary information about the enemy and the terrain, both in the zone of detailed reconnaissance and in the zone of survey reconnaissance. The operators of the LHC intelligence calculations, together with the intelligence department of the headquarters of the compound, are located at the intelligence control point (PUR), manage the LHC, receive and systematize all the information obtained. Further, the intelligence chief brings intelligence information to the commander of the compound to make timely and informed decisions. In the calculation of the tank reconnaissance brigade (connection) for solving such tasks there are: "Busel-M", "Mosquito", "Supercam S100", "Supercam S350", etc.
In turn, the calculations of the reconnaissance tank, among other things, can be attached to actions as part of reconnaissance groups, both military and special intelligence, which has been honed more than once during the exercises of the forces and means of reconnaissance of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus. During the exercises, the LHC reconnaissance calculations using the Maskit, Supercam S100 drones, as well as the well-known Mavic (various modifications), which significantly increase the combat capabilities of reconnaissance groups during the execution of tasks. So, in a closed area for 6-8 hours, the group is able to inspect an area of up to 30 square kilometers and, if there is an object in it, detect it. Taking into account the dowry calculation of the exploration tank, the time for searching and detecting an object in the area is reduced by almost 3 times. Thus, a number of military experts hold the view that the effectiveness of the use of intelligence tanks in modern conflicts is obvious.
Meanwhile, thanks to the created units and new deliveries of unmanned complexes, the well-known Mavic UAVs are already actively used by mechanized units, units of the MTR and RViA of the Armed Forces. These drones are already in service in each company of the Immediate Response Forces (SNR). This was stated by the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Belarus Viktor Khrenin at the end of last year.
So, as part of the field exit, units of the 51 artillery brigade (Osipovichi) are already actively using short-range drones during artillery fire correction classes, and one of the mechanized battalions of the 120 brigade used such UAVs for reconnaissance of targets, their destruction and subsequent adjustments as part of fire training classes last week. It is worth emphasizing that the Armed Forces last year purchased a large batch of short-range drones. To date, all mechanized units of the Belarusian army are equipped with them. According to the country's defense ministry, deliveries will continue.
Today, taking into account the experience of combat operations on the territory of Ukraine, we can confidently say that unmanned aircraft plays a key role in any modern conflict, therefore, without any doubt, the Belarusian Armed Forces are increasing their combat capabilities in this important direction.
In our next article, we will tell you about the Belarusian attack drones, in which units they are in service and what tasks they perform.
Nikolai Krylov