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Russia to Create Naval Drone Units Equipped for Air, Land, and Sea Operations

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
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Russia to Create Naval Drone Units Equipped for Air, Land, and Sea Operations
A Russian military truck transporting Geran-2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) drives across Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

Russia’s Navy is preparing to establish specialized regiments dedicated to unmanned systems, a move that signals a growing emphasis on robotic warfare, according to a Russian newspaper Izvestia on May 13.

These new units will take on a wide range of missions—from reconnaissance and strike operations to guarding warships, neutralizing enemy drones and unmanned boats, and conducting mine-hunting operations.

The regiments will be equipped with a mix of drone types operating in air, land, and sea environments. These include aerial drones (UAVs), ground-based robotic systems, unmanned surface vessels (USVs), and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).

Sources cited by Izvestia say the Navy is planning to stand up at least five such regiments. Three are expected to be assigned to fleets operating in the European part of Russia, while two will likely support the Pacific Fleet.

The Caspian and Dnieper Flotillas may also receive similar units, though that has not been confirmed.

These drone regiments are expected to field medium- and long-range systems such as the Orlan and Forpost UAVs, Lancet loitering munitions, and FPV (first-person view) drones, widely used in precision strike roles.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin observes an exhibition of Orlan-10 UAV drones at the Special Technology Center on September 19, 2024, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Source: Getty Images)
Russian leader Vladimir Putin observes an exhibition of Orlan-10 UAV drones at the Special Technology Center on September 19, 2024, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Source: Getty Images)
Russian Forpost reconnaissance UAV. (Source: Russian Ministry of Defense)
Russian Forpost reconnaissance UAV. (Source: Russian Ministry of Defense)

Military analyst Dmitry Boltenkov noted that these units will likely form the backbone of Russia’s broader push to develop dedicated Unmanned Forces within the military.

“We can assume there will be no fewer than five such regiments. Three will join fleets based in the European part of Russia, and two will support the Pacific Fleet,” Boltenkov said.

Earlier, Russia unveiled a column of unmanned military vehicles used in strikes on Ukraine for the first time. Drones displayed included the “Orlan,” Zala, “Lancet,” “Harpia,” and “Geran” (Shahed).

The Orlan is used for reconnaissance and targeting, while the Zala drones focus on surveillance and precision attacks. The Lancet is a suicide drone designed for direct strikes, and the Harpia likely serves similar reconnaissance and attack roles. The Geran, a copy of Iran’s Shahed-136, has been heavily used to target Ukraine’s infrastructure. These drones allow Russia to carry out long-range, low-risk operations, although they’ve also caused significant civilian damage and casualties.

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