Russia in Talks for Procuring Unmanned Surface Vehicle for its Naval Fleet.

The Russian Ministry of Defense is actively exploring the possibility of acquiring unmanned maritime vessels for its navy, according to Mikhail Danilenko, Managing Director of KMZ Holdings. Unmanned vessels have garnered much attention on the Ukrainian side due to their effectiveness, so it's not surprising to see Russia now showing interest in this type of equipment.
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Unmanned Surface Vehicle built by the firm KMZ on the Vizir platform (Picture source: Russian Media )

KMZ (Kingisepp Machine-Building Plant) has proposed a series of versatile unmanned sea drones built on the "Vizir" platform to the defense ministry. Negotiations are currently underway, and the military is open to the idea of incorporating these unmanned boats into the Russian Navy. "We are in discussions with the Ministry of Defense about the procurement of 'Vizir.' We are fine-tuning the technical specifications and discussing potential modifications based on the ministry's needs," said Danilenko.

The unmanned boat developed by KMZ is versatile and can be used for various tasks. It has a range of 600 km at low speeds, and while the range decreases at higher speeds, the boat can accelerate up to 80 km/h. In an armed configuration, the boat can carry a heavy-caliber machine gun or light missiles.

Additionally, there is an option to modify the existing boat into a maritime kamikaze drone. "All that's needed is to reduce the size of the hull. We already have some developments in this direction," added a KMZ representative. The boat's payload capacity is around 500 kilograms, and it boasts excellent maneuverability and seaworthiness. The hull is made of fiberglass.

The Vizir was unveiled during the Army 2023 event in Russia, as we previously reported on August 17, 2023, on Navy Recognition. Whether they are maritime, terrestrial, or aerial drones, their effectiveness is no longer in question, and both sides are striving to develop their own systems.