Russia’s Lancet-E Loitering Munition, Anti-Drone System Make International Debut at Azeri Show

Russia's Rosoboronexport will present the Lancet-E loitering munition and anti-drone systems for the first time internationally at the ADEX 2024 International Defence Industry Exhibition, taking place from September 24 to 26 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

"Russia and the Caspian countries have long-standing good neighborly relations, including in the sphere of military-technical cooperation. Our partners are well aware of reliable and effective Russian defense products. At ADEX 2024, Rosoboronexport will showcase the Lancet-E loitering munition system and the latest counter-UAV electronic warfare system, marking their first exhibition outside Russia. The solutions we are presenting provide protection against the entire spectrum of external and internal threats to regional security," said Alexander Mikheev, Director General of Rosoboronexport.

Twelve Russian companies will participate in the exhibition, presenting products for the armed forces, police, and counter-terror units. Rosoboronexport will highlight the Lancet-E loitering munition system, which is effective against main battle tanks (MBTs), infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), aircraft, and surface targets. The first foreign presentation of the Lancet-E system is scheduled for September 25.

In addition, the RP-377VM1 (version 4) jammer, effective against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and the RB-504P-E counter-UAV system will be introduced. The exhibit will also feature products such as the Su-35, Ka-52E, Mi-17V-5, Orlan-10E, T-90MS, Terminator BMPT, Msta-S, S-400 Triumf, Rubezh-ME, and various optical/electro-optical systems.

Russia has supplied several types of drones to Armenia, Azerbaijan’s regional rival, primarily for reconnaissance purposes. Notable examples include the Orlan-10, which was delivered during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War. Armenia has also received the Gryphon-12, UL-300 (ZALA 421-16E), and UL-350 (Supercam S350), all of which have Russian origins.

However, Armenia's military drone capabilities are mostly focused on reconnaissance, with limited combat drone capacities. The country has been developing its own domestic combat drone, the Aralez UCAV, which is still in the early stages of development.

During the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and subsequent tensions, Azerbaijani forces destroyed or captured various Russian-made military equipment. Notable incidents include the destruction of an S-300 air defense system in Martuni, Nagorno-Karabakh, and the downing of an Armenian-operated Mi-24 helicopter in October 2020. Several T-72 tanks were also destroyed or captured, and an Osa 9K33 air defense system was destroyed in the Shusha region in November 2020.

Post-2020 incidents include the destruction of a 2S3 Akatsiya howitzer in the Lachin region in September 2022, and the capture of several 9M133 Kornet anti-tank missiles in the same area. Additionally, multiple BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed or captured in various clashes.