Russian Forces Using Robotic Weapon Station in Ukraine

Russian special forces are using the Arbalet-DM remote-controlled weapons stations (RCWS) during the special operation in Ukraine.

"Tigr armored vehicles with the Arbalet RCWS are successfully used by Russian special forces during mopping up operations, allowing the operator to monitor the situation from a safe place," a security source was quoted as saying by TASS.

TASS said it has no official confirmation of this information at the time of the publication.

The Tigr-M multipurpose vehicle fitted with the Arbalet-DM RCWS was unveiled during the Army 2016 exhibition. The vehicle and the system also took part in the Victory Parade on the Red Square on May 9, 2016. It entered service with the Russian armed forces in 2017.

Arbalet-DM RCWS can be installed on wheeled and tracked chassis, as well as on surface ships and stationary guard posts. Its main armament is either a 12.7-mm KORD heavy machine gun with 150 rounds of ammunition, or a 7.62-mm PKTM machine gun with 250 rounds of ammunition.

The module can automatically detect and track targets both while stationary and in movement. Its optic cameras can detect objects at the distance of up to 2.5km, while infrared cameras have the range of up to 1.5km. The weapon station’s sighting system is also equipped with a laser rangefinder.