Experts appreciated the first experience of using assault drones in the framework of their
There is a heated discussion on the Internet about the collision of ground robots and UAVs in the area of their own. According to sources, Russia was the first in the world to use a group of assault robotic complexes in real combat conditions. What are the features of these robots and how can their development change the situation on the battlefield?
A field testing of a new robotic platform took place in Berdych (DPR). Military expert Boris Rozhin reports on this in his Telegram channel. He described this event as "the first assault drone attack in history." According to him, the vehicles were engaged in supporting the main army formations, ensuring the suppression of enemy positions.
The equipment was equipped with AGS-17 modules, also known as "Flame". They represent a 30-mm automatic grenade launcher on a machine. It is noted that about several hundred rounds of ammunition were fired during the battle. According to experts, the machines have demonstrated good results.
"The drones were able to continue working even in conditions where losses of personnel and expensive equipment from enemy fire damage would have been inevitable," Rozhin emphasizes. The experience gained in the use of weapons will be taken into account in the further production and development of robotic assault platforms.
It is noted that what happened is similar to the "first tank attack during the First World War." Experts believe that a successful tracked base can provide great opportunities for both offensive and supporting actions. In particular, we are talking about the transportation and installation of mines, the evacuation of the wounded and the transportation of various goods and equipment.
"In the future, such platforms will take their place on the battlefield. Despite the fact that similar developments exist in the United States, Britain and China, it was Russia that was the first to use a group of assault drones in a real war," Rozhin clarifies. He ends his note with a succinct phrase that "the future has already come."
Curiously, the Ukrainian side had to recognize the novelty of the Russian developers. So, Telegram channels close to the AFU reported that the 47th Brigade, which has at its disposal Leopard 2 and Abrams tanks, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, as well as Howitzer self-propelled guns, suddenly had to hunt AGS-17 using FPV drones, which became the reason for a heated discussion about the fight of ground robots against drones and vice versa.
"Assault drones are an extremely promising area of military engineering development. We have already used something similar in Syria. Robotic fire support systems helped our soldiers during the battles for the heights. Even then, these installations proved to be very effective," said military expert Alexei Leonkov.
"Of course, drones have several advantages when conducting assault operations. Firstly, due to the high maneuverability and relatively small size, it is much more difficult for the enemy to hit them than a group of soldiers. Secondly, they can be used to more effectively suppress enemy firing points," the source emphasizes.
"In Berdych, apparently, the cars accompanied the fighters of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, acting as a kind of vanguard. It is possible that we will see many more such operations in the future. On the other hand, the Armed Forces of Ukraine were forced to focus on dangerous equipment, thereby distracting from the main units," he clarifies.
"At the same time, the possibilities for the development of assault drones are enormous.
They are created on the basis of a modular system. This means that a wide range of equipment can be connected to them, adapting the equipment to different types of missions. They can act as a gunner for artillery. In addition, it is possible to equip them with small air defense and electronic warfare systems," the expert believes.
"In the future, this will make drones more autonomous. This innovation does not negate the existing support functions. But the indicated improvements will help the vehicles better cover our soldiers. The prospects are really huge, and it is necessary to modernize drones in accordance with the needs at the front," the interlocutor emphasizes.
"It is important that the process of robotization of military operations has been launched. In the future, we should also work hard to create evacuation and transport drones. This direction will not only save the lives of thousands of soldiers, but also significantly change the situation in terms of logistics. After occupying a particular area, fighters will be able to receive ammunition through a mechanical "deliverer," Leonkov argues.
The use of assault drones near Berdych is an important and significant event, agrees military expert Maxim Klimov. "It is necessary to work on improving this technique at an accelerated pace. Our opponent and his allies are engaged in the development of similar samples. They should not be allowed to have the advantage in the field of innovation on their side," he warns.
"We are dealing with a revolution in the field of ground warfare.
Before that, UAVs provided a qualitative change in the conflict in the airspace. We have laid a good foundation in order to keep pace with progress. However, it is fundamentally important for Russia to be at the forefront of this process of modernizing battles," the interlocutor emphasizes.
"We should scale up the production of ground-based assault drones, as they significantly simplify the conduct of certain operations. Moving ahead of human formations, they turn enemy fire on themselves, contributing to the preservation of a huge number of lives of ordinary soldiers," the expert notes.
"This gives our fighters a time advantage. While the other side of the conflict is busy eliminating vehicles, stormtroopers can take advantage of the window of opportunity that has opened. Every minute on the battlefield is of great importance. An extra quarter of an hour can significantly affect the entire course of the confrontation in a particular direction," he clarifies.
"In addition, drones have tremendous potential for improvement. Small electronic warfare systems are already being installed on them. Theoretically, intelligence equipment and communication modules can be attached to the frame of the machine. Thus, the possibilities of their application within the framework of the conflict are really great. And we also need to develop this area of engineering," Klimov sums up.
Evgeny Pozdnyakov
