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Russian company Kalashnikov is developing the Soratnik reconnaissance/combat robot TASS 82003173

Military Defense Industry Technology - Kalashnikov

Russian company Kalashnikov is developing the Soratnik reconnaissance/combat robot

The Kalashnikov Corporation, the producer of the famous Kalashnikov assault rifle and a subsidiary of Russia’s state hi-tech corporation Rostec, is developing an advanced reconnaissance and attack system with a weight of about 20 tons, the BAS-01G BM Soratnik unmanned combat ground vehicle, Corporation CEO Alexei Krivoruchko told TASS.

BAS-01G BM Soratnik unmanned combat ground vehicle

Last year, the Kalashnikov Corporation showed its first Soratnik robotic system developed for Russia’s Defense Ministry. The Soratnik system is an armored tracked vehicle furnished with an automated control system, secure radio channels and acquisition and surveillance equipment. The system can carry a combat module. The Soratnik can work in cooperation with other automated combat systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles manufactured by Zala Aero Group that is a Kalashnikov Corporation subsidiary.

"It is an innovative platform developed by the military division of the Kalashnikov Group in accordance with the terms of reference issued by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Soratnik tracked unmanned vehicle is intended for combat reconnaissance, fire support of soldiers on the battlefield, mine clearance, logistics operations, and patrolling. The UCGV has a combat weight of about 7,000 kg, an operational range of 400 km, a maximum road speed of 40 km/h, and a remote control distance of 10 km. It can work in direct control, semi-automatic, and fully automatic modes. The Soratnik's optoelectronic suite allows target detecting at a 2,500 m distance. The robot is complemented by two tactical reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) designed by ZALA Aero (a subsidiary of the Kalashnikov group). Soratnik can be armed with 7.62mm Kalashnikov PKT/PKTM machinegun, 12.7mm 6P49 Kord heavy machinegun, or 30mm AG-17A Plamya (Flame) automatic grenade launcher (AGL). We have also integrated the newest 40mm 6G27 Balkan AGL with the vehicle. Both domestic and foreign potential customers showed their interest in the platform. The UCGV is armed with eight ready-to-launch 9M133M Kornet-EM anti-tank guided missiles in the anti-tank configuration," a company representative said at the Army 2016 military-technical forum.

BAS-01G BM Soratnik is a small squad-level tactical UCGV intended for limited support of troops on the battlefield, as it is basically armed with small arms and light weapons (SALW). However, the vehicle demonstrates the latest achievements of Kalashnikov in the area of unmanned vehicles. In 2015-2016, the company acquired ZALA Aero, one of the most prominent UAVs manufacturers in Russia and the Rybinsk Shipyard, a builder of fast attack craft (FAC). "We are developing a whole system aimed at the enhancing of the Russian armed forces' combat capabilities. The system will be comprised of SALW, manned/unmanned FACs, and UAVs developed by the Concern," Director General of the Kalashnikov Group, Alexey Krivoruchko said at the Army 2016 show. Therefore, Soratnik is believed to be one more element of the aforementioned combat system being designed by the company. Russia's military is reported to have shown interest in the BAS-01G BM Soratnik unmanned robotic platform.