Ukrainian intelligence uncovers 43 companies involved in Orion combat drone production
Ukrainian intelligence reveals manufacturers of components for the Orion combat drone (photo: t.me/kpszsu)
Experts from the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (HUR) have published a 3D schematic of the Russian Orion UAV and revealed information about 43 enterprises involved in its production, according to the HUR.
Orion is a strike and reconnaissance drone produced by the sanctioned Russian group of companies Kronstadt.
What is known about the drone
The aircraft, weighing about one ton, with a straight wing and V-shaped tail unit, is capable of carrying up to 250 kg of payload, which may include aerial photography systems, radio intelligence modules, electro-optical systems, guided aerial bombs KAB-20, Kh-50 missiles, and more.
In addition, Orion is a carrier of the new Russian S8000 Banderol cruise missile, the components of which the Main Directorate of Intelligence had previously published.
The range of Orion is up to 250 km (up to 300 km with a relay), and its flight duration is up to 30 hours. Due to these tactical and technical characteristics, as well as its competitive price, Russian media have loudly dubbed it the Bayraktar killer (referring to the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 combat drone).
Who supplies components for the Orion?
A third of the companies are currently not under sanctions by any country in the sanctions coalition, which creates a real possibility of continued supplies of critical components and the continuation of the war against Ukraine.
Among the identified enterprises are manufacturers of electro-optical systems, ground communication stations, and polymer-composite materials for the airframe.
"Developments like the Orion pose a threat not only to Ukraine but to the civilized world as a whole: technologies and components can be transferred to Russia's allies, including Iran and the DPRK, which expands the risks of their military use in other regions," the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said.
Earlier, the HUR reported on 68 new components found in Russian missiles and drones that the enemy uses to attack energy facilities.
The Russian turbojet Shahed contains components from the United States, China, Switzerland, and other countries.
For more details about which components the Russians use in the production of kamikaze drones, read the RBC-Ukraine report.
