Ukraine Reveals Next-Gen Underwater Drone to Target Russian Warships
Ukraine has showcased its latest advancement in naval technology with the unveiling of a 20-foot-long underwater drone designed to target Russian warships beneath the sea’s surface. This new addition, named Marichka, signifies a significant shift in Ukraine’s strategy for countering Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, previously relying primarily on surface naval drones for attacks.
Ukraine Reveals Next-Gen Underwater Drone to Target Russian Warships
Ukraine Reveals Next-Gen Underwater Drone to Target Russian Warships
Marichka’s capabilities focus on striking the submerged portions of ships, potentially leading to even more devastating outcomes for the targeted warships. Naval defense experts at the news outlet Navalnews emphasized the difficulty of defending against a swarm of these autonomous underwater drones, dubbing them “suicide underwater uncrewed vehicles.”
Prior to Marichka, Ukraine introduced a smaller submarine drone called the Toloka. However, confirmation of its use in attacking Russian vessels is still pending, according to The Telegraph.
Ukraine Reveals Next-Gen Underwater Drone to Target Russian Warships
Boasting a range of approximately 600 miles, Marichka can undertake various missions, including attack, transportation, and reconnaissance. Videos showcasing the drone being tested in the sea and animated specifications presentations have been released, though its payload capacity remains undisclosed.
The development of Marichka has been led by volunteer engineers known as Ammo Ukraine, with an estimated cost of 16 million Ukrainian hryvnia (about $433,000), as reported by Ukrainian media and Navalnews.
Over the past year, Ukraine has escalated its drone-based attacks on Russian warships in the Black Sea, particularly in occupied Crimea. Kyrylo Budanov, Ukrainian intelligence chief, noted that these naval attack drones have effectively “paralyzed” the Russian Black Sea Fleet. While Russia employs electronic warfare tactics to disrupt or eliminate the drones, Budanov emphasized that the attacks continue to act as a highly effective deterrent.
Ukraine Reveals Next-Gen Underwater Drone to Target Russian Warships
In addition to these technological advancements, Ukraine has established its inaugural naval drone brigade, known as the 385th Separate Brigade of Special-Purpose Marine Unmanned Systems. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the brigade with new colors during Ukraine’s Independence Day parade, as reported by The Telegraph.