With an eye on the Ukraine war, Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation’s Security Council, held a meeting at the Federal Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the “Rudnevo” industrial park to discuss the increase in production of drones that could be used in the so-called ‘special military operation zone.’ Chinese Laser Attack Forces US Air Force To Acquire 42,000 Anti-Laser Gear To Defend Its Military Pilots
The official noted that the site has the requisite infrastructure and facilities for testing equipment and training operators, Russian-language state news agency RIA Novosti reported. The meeting comes when drone attacks have become the most distinctive feature of the ongoing war.
“Today, not for the first time, we will naturally discuss the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles, which our armed forces require during a special military operation. The state pays special attention to these tasks,” Medvedev said during the meeting.
RIA Novosti also published the official visit, which featured Medvedev examining a drone assembly area, leading to speculations that Moscow was working on producing a BAS-200 drone variant.
However, the RIA report did not mention specific details of the drones that were subject to discussion between the Russian officials and industry representatives.
A military commentator and an avid follower of Russian military development, Indian Air Force veteran Squadron Leader Vijainder K. Thakur identified the drone in the video as a variant of the BAS-200 drone, which reportedly broke cover a couple of years back in 2021.
“In the clip below posted by RIA Novosti, Medvedev is visiting a rotary wing drone assembly area. The drones under assembly appear to be a variation of the BAS-200 drones first unveiled at the MAKS-2021 air show,” Thakur said.
Vijainder K Thakur @vkthakur RIA Novosti reports that Dimitri Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, visited the center of unmanned aerial systems in the Moscow industrial park "Rudnevo" where he held a meeting on increasing the production of drones for the needs of the military.
In the clip below posted by RIA Novosti, Medvedev is seen visiting a rotary wing drone assembly area. The drones under assembly appear to be a variation of the BAS-200 drones first unveiled at the MAKS-2021 air show.
In December 2022, Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency certified the domestic civil unmanned helicopter BAS-200 developed by Mil and Kamov National Helicopter Center of the Russian Helicopters holding (part of Rostec).
The 185-kg BAS-200 can fly in automatic mode for up to four hours with a load of up to 50 kilograms. The flight range with a full load is 430 kilometers. It is capable of reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h and flying at altitudes up to 3500 meters.
It should be possible for the military variant of the BAS-200 to undertake ISR and strike missions. It could carry a single Vikhr-1 ATGM or a laser-designator for laser-guided weapons like the Krasnopol.
The audio signature of the drones powered by a gasoline engine is high.
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