Russia is outpacing Ukraine and US in cheap high-tech weapons, WSJ says
The breakthrough was made possible by China (photo: Getty Images)
While Ukraine was learning to repel Russian drone attacks, Moscow began producing new precision-guided, low-cost weapons faster than Ukraine and the United States, The Wall Street Journal reports.
According to the media outlet, the new Geran-type drones and Banderol drone-missiles are a reminder that Russia still has the resources and supply chains needed to create new threats. This time, the weapons feature advanced electronics that allow them to accurately identify targets and evade interception.
The WSJ notes that this breakthrough was made possible by components supplied from China in violation of international sanctions. Ukraine and others say China's involvement is confirmed by debris recovered from several drones shot down so far.
Analysts and diplomats say Russia's new and relatively inexpensive weapons demonstrate the country's ability to adapt and innovate. According to analysts, Russia developed and fielded both types of weapons within several years by modifying earlier models, conducting combat tests, and quickly launching mass production.
By doing so, Moscow has moved ahead of its rivals. Ukraine, for its part, has shown that it can move quickly — it developed one of the first effective jet-powered drones, but lacks sufficient production resources and broad capabilities for long-term planning.
Meanwhile, the United States and its NATO allies are struggling to increase production of vital weapons, such as interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems. Western governments are also grappling with how to speed up the process of turning innovations into mass-produced equipment.
The WSJ writes that developments in Moscow also have a direct impact on the United States, as Russia, Iran, and North Korea exchange military expertise. At the same time, innovations drawn from the war in Ukraine are being applied in the US war with Iran, and vice versa.
What else is important to know
The media outlet goes on to say that both the Banderol and Geran meet the need for cheap but effective one-way weapons — an economic sweet spot that Ukraine and Western countries are seeking. The new weapons combine upgraded low-cost designs with simplified high-end ones. Each offers a different combination of cost, range, speed, explosive power, and the ability to strike a target without being intercepted.
The Banderol drone-missiles and Geran-5 drones are estimated to cost around $100,000 each. At the same time, high-end US-made Western cruise missiles such as the Tomahawk and similar models cost more than $2 million each.
What else is important to know
In early September, media reports revealed that Russia had established mass production of jet engines for drones by circumventing Western sanctions. This made it possible to cut their production costs by at least half.
In late August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia plans to scale up its production of ballistic missiles. He stressed that Ukraine would counter the Kremlin's plans.
