Silent drone: drones and electronic warfare became the main hits of the "Army-2023"

Foreign customers are interested in Russian developments in the field of UAVs and electronic warfare

A feature of the current forum "Army-2023", which distinguishes it from the previous ones, was the large number of unmanned aerial vehicles and electronic warfare (EW) equipment presented. The number of manufacturers demonstrating their developments in this direction has increased significantly. Foreign customers of our defense industry are showing great interest in Russian drones and electronic warfare. We are on the threshold of a new stage in the development of military science, experts believe. In addition to drones, armored vehicles and new artillery systems, modified taking into account the experience of combat operations, were presented at the exhibition.

Attention to drones

A study of the expositions of the Army-2023 forum shows that the number of companies representing unmanned aerial vehicles, small-sized electronic warfare and other anti-drone equipment has increased several times compared to previous similar events. Most of the new products in this segment are small UAVs in the quad and multicopter format. Also at the exhibition, models of FPV kamikaze drones are presented for the first time.

FPV drone at the International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2023" at the Patriot Convention and Exhibition Center

Image Source: Photo: TASS/Vladimir Gerdo

Russian developments in this direction attract the attention of potential customers. The head of Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, said on August 15 at the Army-2023 forum that African countries are showing great interest in Russian drones and electronic warfare. He noted that during the Russia–Africa summit, Rosoboronexport presented to partners from 30 countries a wide range of security tools, including solutions to counter terrorism, organized crime, cyber threats, protection of the constitutional order and public order, protection of borders and important facilities.

— We have seen significant interest in Russian drones and small arms, electronic warfare, individual armor protection, non—lethal impact, detection of prohibited substances and elements of the "Safe City" system, information security tools, - said Alexander Mikheev.

A visitor with a weapon at the stand of the Kalashnikov Concern at the exhibition within the framework of the International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2023" at the Patriot Convention and Exhibition Center

Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Kirill Zykov

Drones are now making a revolution in military affairs, just as planes made it in the First World War, and tanks in the Second World War, military expert Vladislav Shurygin told Izvestia.

— In fact, we are now facing a completely new stage of warfare, when intelligent autonomous aviation systems can seriously change the whole picture on the battlefield, — he said. — With the advent of artificial intelligence systems that will find and destroy targets themselves, armed conflicts in general may follow an unknown and unpredictable course. Therefore, it is very important for us to be in the topic. Against this background, electronic warfare and drones of all kinds are of particular importance. And I am glad that private companies have been very active in this topic.

Tested in battles

The Army-2023 Forum bears a noticeable imprint of the experience of a special military operation. Many expositions look absolutely unusual. Cars and armored vehicles with additional protection kits catch the eye. The vast majority of such samples generalize the experience of artisanal arming of equipment in the military. Upgraded Tiger armored vehicles, for example, have additional protection for the engine, driver, and even wheels.

Armored vehicles have also undergone serious changes. Most of the samples presented received additional camouflage in the infrared and radar spectrum, made in the form of quick-release capes. And in addition — an additional visual disguise with plastic camouflage, which is called a herringbone in the troops. Previously, these protection elements were installed on the T-90m "Breakthrough" tanks.

In addition, all models of tanks are equipped with additional protection from above from getting NATO samples of anti-tank missiles that have an attack mode in the upper hemisphere. And most importantly — against kamikaze drones attacking from above, with a relatively weak warhead.

Previously, various metal structures, the so-called "birdhouses", were installed in the troops. But there was no single unified sample. The protection includes a metal structure, an anti-cumulative screen covering the tower from above, and a mesh screen around the perimeter. Also, experimental electronic warfare installations were demonstrated on the tanks, providing jamming of drones when approaching equipment.

The topic of combating UAVs of all kinds is one of the most important at the Army—2023 forum. Among the Russian manufacturers of wearable electronic warfare systems, anti—drone guns is the PPSH laboratory. For several generations, their products have been used at the front. Modularity allows you to constantly update the protection, adapting to new types of drones and control frequencies.

T-90M "Breakthrough" tank with anti-drone protection system installed on the tower at the International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2023" at the Patriot Convention and Exhibition Center

Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev

An actual novelty is protection complexes for armored vehicles and motor vehicles — the main targets of both factory and homemade kamikaze drones. Another novelty, which was one of the first tested by the correspondent of Izvestia, is the development of FPV technologies for military drivers: a visual control system that transmits an image from a conventional camera and thermal to glasses according to the "picture in picture" scheme. The glasses model is not completely closed, and by lowering your eyes, you can, if necessary, see the controls and instruments when driving. The outdoor module is easily mounted on any type of transport, therefore, with the help of this device, you can quickly modify most types of equipment in any conditions.

On the "initiative from below"

Another important direction that has grown on the "initiative from below" in the course of its development is the adaptation of unserved weapons to the conditions of modern war. Serious manufacturers are also included in it. And if for many years the favorite direction of such work has been the adaptation of 23-mm ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns or their submachine guns for various control systems and modes of transport, then the SVO revived interest in earlier S-60 guns of 57 mm caliber.

MT-LB armored personnel carrier with ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun at the Army-2023 International Military-Technical Forum at the Patriot Convention and Exhibition Center

Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev

As an anti-aircraft gun, this gun could not fight high-speed air targets and it was removed from service. But today, the proliferation of copters and ballistic calculators makes it possible to use this powerful weapon for direct infantry support. And the seriously advanced automotive technology made these heavy guns mobile for their time. In the military, they are installed on various platforms — from trucks to tracked tractors.

Of course, front-line alterations are limited by the actual availability of equipment. "MIC" demonstrates a variant of the MRAP-class Spartak armored car with a factory-installed C-60 gun on the rear platform. This design combines the simplicity of production and cheapness with the characteristics of a powerful assault weapon.

152 mm wheeled howitzer "Malva" at the International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2023" at the Patriot Convention and Exhibition Center

Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev

Among the artillery systems — 152-mm wheeled howitzer "Malva" and 82-mm mortar "Drok". These are systems with higher mobility than tracked models. In the conditions of modern counter-battery warfare, this is one of the most important parameters. These installations, which are waiting at the front, will soon show themselves in battle.

Roman Kretsul

Dmitry Astrakhan