Ukraine Unveils Cutting-Edge Naval Drone for Defense and Supply Missions

The newest Ukrainian maritime drone was presented at the international security forum in the Black Sea region Black Sea Security Forum 2024 in Odesa.

Unable to quickly build, buy, or receive a traditional fleet during the war, Ukraine has focused on rapidly developing and producing naval drones to fight Russia.

The unmanned boat Stalker 5.0 is 5 meters long and 1.2 meters wide. It has a special compartment that allows the delivery of water, food, military equipment, and other cargo to islands or areas of the coast where the Ukrainian Defense Forces are stationed.

The maritime drone can also be used for reconnaissance and coastal patrolling purposes in sea and river border areas.

The drone is equipped with a video communication and control system based on Starlink. The cost of one drone is about €60000.

A 60-horsepower petrol engine allows the drone to accelerate its speed for more than 40 knots (about 75 kilometers per hour). For comparison, a cruiser’s standard speed is about 30 knots (55 kilometers per hour).