FPV drone weapons enter mass production in Russia: Here’s why it’s concerning
FPV drone (Photo: Getty Images)
In Russia’s military technology sector, a shift to industrial-scale production of new munitions for unmanned aerial vehicles has been observed, indicating an effort to build a stable supply system and standardize weaponry, according to a report by Defence Blog.
Read also: Threat to Odesa and Mykolaiv: Russia develops new surface drone
Russia’s defense industry has announced the start of serial production of Kraplya munitions for FPV drones.
The development is aimed at striking armored vehicles from above and is based on the explosively formed penetrator (EFP) principle.
This design enables bypassing metal grilles and anti-drone nets used for additional vehicle protection.
In propaganda materials, the munition is presented as a ready-made logistical product integrated into the unit supply system.
This indicates a transition from improvised manufacturing to centralized industrial production.
Threat assessment and warhead parameters
Ukrainian experts view the emergence of such systems as a serious challenge.
Defense analyst Andrii Tarasenko noted that a factory-made warhead of this type, with a diameter of about 150 millimeters, may be capable of penetrating more than 100 millimeters of armor.
Standardization of armaments for FPV fleets
Alongside anti-tank solutions, other standardized drone payloads are being demonstrated, including fragmentation munitions weighing about 1.7 kg and heavy thermobaric charges weighing up to 4 kg.
The shift to industrial-scale production indicates an effort to simplify operator training for FPV drones and maintenance directly in the combat zone.
Over the past month, Ukrainian-made unmanned systems have demonstrated high effectiveness against enemy drones. According to a specialized report, various interceptor drones were successfully used to destroy Shahed drones, underscoring the effectiveness of domestic air defense system developments.
Additionally, the Russian army has begun using Gerbera drones as launch platforms for compact reconnaissance and attack drones, expanding UAV tactics through combined schemes involving carrier and subordinate drones.
