Russian media: Russian military practices new anti-drone tactics integrating mobile radar and air defense drones

Reference News Network April 13 Report According to the Russian newspaper "Izvestia" website on April 8, the Russian military is practicing a set of low-cost, high-efficiency tactics to counter fixed-wing drones that conduct attacks deep within Russian territory.

It is reported that the new combat teams integrate mobile radar stations with "Lightning" air defense drones, aiming to quickly establish a tight radar detection network in designated areas and effectively destroy enemy attack and reconnaissance drones.

The anti-drone teams consist of two groups of personnel: radar station operators and drone combat support teams.

The improved "Lightning" air defense drone is a fixed-wing drone with a range of 60 kilometers and a maximum flight speed of 220 kilometers per hour, carrying a warhead weighing up to 1 kilogram, capable of effectively striking various fixed-wing drones, helicopters, and other low-altitude targets.

Military expert Alexei Leonkov told "Izvestia" that forming mixed units of mobile radar and air defense drones can significantly enhance anti-drone combat effectiveness.

Leonkov said: "Detection radars can significantly expand the airspace monitoring range, improving visibility and effective interception distance. These radars are mobile and can be quickly redeployed as needed, allowing for rapid and efficient responses to aerial threats."

Drone training instructor Sergey Kulapov stated that the mobile teams can quickly block the flight paths of Ukrainian long-range drones conducting attacks deep into Russian territory.

The instructor pointed out: "The enemy has been scouting the locations of our air defense and electronic warfare systems, trying to avoid these systems. In high-altitude environments, our radars can clearly detect targets, but the Ukrainian forces often use terrain such as river valleys to fly fixed-wing drones at low altitudes to evade detection or find weak areas in electronic warfare coverage. The new combat teams can block such flight paths, greatly enhancing anti-drone airstrike capabilities."

Military experts point out that the speed of the "Lightning" air defense drone is sufficient to intercept all mainstream models of drones used by the Ukrainian forces that employ piston engines, including the widely used "Furious" drone.

Experts state that the combat teams can perform defensive tasks, cover the front lines and key directions, and also isolate combat areas and focus on intercepting enemy reconnaissance drones during offensive operations. The teams can firmly control the low-altitude areas near the front lines, shooting down Ukrainian reconnaissance drones and tactical bombers such as the "Baba-Yaga."

Leonkov believes: "The combat teams can also provide cover for advancing troops, especially logistics support units. These units are responsible for frontline supply and have a very high demand for air defense protection."

Military expert Viktor Litovkin stated that the new combat teams can be deployed not only on the front lines but also for the protection of deep targets within Russian territory. He said: "Residential areas, oil refineries, or important warehouses can all serve as deployment locations."

The training level of the operators will directly determine the combat effectiveness of the teams. Litovkin said: "During combat duty, while the performance of the equipment is certainly important, the professionalism, sense of responsibility, and focus of the personnel are also key. Personnel training is a core aspect of forming the new combat teams."

In addition, the cost of the "Lightning" air defense drone is far lower than that of traditional air defense missiles. Leonkov pointed out that after adopting the new tactics, "the cost of intercepting Ukrainian drones will be significantly reduced. This has significant economic implications." (Translated by Zhao Zhipeng)