Russian Enterprise Reveals Unmanned Boat that Can Carry Attack Drones

A Russian ship design centre has developed an unmanned boat, the Svarog 1.0, with an operational range of up to 500 km, the Svarog Research and Production Center told Russian media.

"A new unmanned boat, the Svarog 1.0, has been created as a drone carrier. Its operational range is up to 500 km. The uncrewed boat is controlled via satellite communications. Testing of the product is currently underway," the company said.

Besides carrying and releasing air drones, the unmanned boat can be used for a wide range of tasks. "The uncrewed boat can be used for supply and logistics, and as a kamikaze vessel to destroy enemy ships," added the Svarog Center.

The Rostov-on-Don-based Svarog Design Center said that Svarog 1.0, can be used in strike missions, including kamikaze mode against surface targets. The platform is claimed to be controlled via satellite communications, which theoretically allows the operator to maintain control at a significant distance from the coast.

Looking at the shape of the drone boat, it looks designed to emit low radar signature and plough through water at relatively high speed making it difficult for anti-drone systems to detect and intercept it.

However, actual extent of its strike potential, including targeting accuracy and survivability against naval targets, remains unconfirmed. The types and characteristics of the UAVs planned to be integrated with the carrier, as well as the schemes for their combined use in electronic countermeasures, are also not disclosed.