Ukraine Adapts RPG-18 Rocket Launchers to FPV Drones in Ongoing Conflict with Russia.

Amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine continues to adapt older technologies for modern battlefield applications. A notable example of this strategy is the integration of Soviet-era RPG-18 rocket launchers onto FPV (first-person view) drones. This approach seeks to overcome the limitations of conventional weapons by adapting them to current combat conditions.
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The use of these RPG-18-equipped drones suggests that Ukraine has a significant stock of these weapons, inherited from the Soviet era (Picture source: X Channel @Nexta)

The RPG-18 is a portable anti-tank rocket launcher, developed by the Soviet Union and introduced in the 1970s. Designed as a disposable, single-use weapon, it fires a 64 mm rocket with a shaped-charge warhead capable of penetrating up to 300 mm of armor.

However, its main drawback is its limited range of 135 to 150 meters and lack of a guidance system. These features require the operator to get dangerously close to the target to effectively engage armored vehicles, making them vulnerable to countermeasures.

To mitigate these risks, Ukrainian forces have turned to an innovative solution by mounting the RPG-18 on FPV drones, operated remotely. This method allows the weapon to be deployed without exposing the operator, while improving the accuracy of strikes.

The drones, thanks to their maneuverability, can discreetly approach the target and fire the rocket from a safe distance, significantly reducing the danger to Ukrainian troops. Additionally, unlike traditional munitions, the drone could potentially be reused after completing its mission, depending on its condition.

To reduce risks, Ukrainian forces have innovatively mounted RPG-18s on remotely operated FPV drones, enabling the weapon to be deployed without exposing the operator and enhancing strike accuracy (Picture source: Wikicommun)

The use of these RPG-18-equipped drones suggests that Ukraine has a significant stock of these weapons, inherited from the Soviet era. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine, like other post-Soviet states, inherited a large amount of military equipment, including RPG-18s.

These weapons, brought back into service for the current conflict, provide Ukraine with the flexibility to adapt to the material superiority of Russian forces. While no official confirmation has been made regarding external deliveries of such weapons, it is possible that other former Soviet bloc countries or nations that previously acquired RPG-18s have contributed to bolstering this stock.

The integration of RPG-18s onto drones marks another step in the evolution of modern military tactics, where drones play a central role. This combination helps to overcome the weapon's limited range by allowing it to be used remotely against armored vehicles or fortified positions while minimizing risks to Ukrainian soldiers.

In urban or forested areas, where drones can take advantage of natural cover, this tactic makes the use of the RPG-18 more unpredictable and effective, disrupting adversary operations.